Key Takeaways:
– Karoline Leavitt, 27, is the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history.
– She has sparked controversy by changing how reporters access the president.
– Leavitt is a loyal supporter of Donald Trump and has a history in politics.
– She has clashed with the media, favoring right-wing outlets.
– Her actions reflect a broader shift in how the White House interacts with the press.
Who is Karoline Leavitt?
Karoline Leavitt made history when she became the youngest White House press secretary ever. At just 27 years old, she has quickly become known for her bold style and loyalty to President Donald Trump. Leavitt stepped into the spotlight in late January and wasted no time making waves. She promised to follow Trump’s “revolutionary media approach,” and she’s certainly delivered on that promise.
Less than a month into her role, Leavitt announced a major change that shocked the press corps. She revealed that the White House, not the White House Correspondents’ Association, would now decide which reporters get to cover Trump up close in the Oval Office and on Air Force One. This move has sparked a heated debate about press access and transparency.
A New Era for Press Access
For decades, the White House Correspondents’ Association, an independent group of journalists, has decided which reporters get to ask the president questions in intimate settings like the Oval Office. Leavitt has changed that arrangement, giving the White House more control over who gets access.
Explaining the decision, Leavitt said, “The White House Correspondents’ Association has long dictated which journalists get to ask questions of the President of the United States in these most intimate spaces. Not anymore.”
This move has been seen as a power play by the White House to control the narrative. It’s part of a larger effort to challenge the traditional media and promote right-wing outlets that are more sympathetic to Trump.
A Confrontational Style
Leavitt’s approach to the press has been confrontational. She accuses traditional media of “lies” and has embraced “new media,” like podcasters, by giving them a seat at the table. She’s also opened up press credential applications to a wider audience, drawing over 12,000 inquiries.
During press briefings, Leavitt often favors reporters from right-wing outlets, claiming they were excluded under President Joe Biden. However, she still engages with mainstream media, even if she sometimes cuts off their follow-up questions.
Leavitt has learned one key rule in Trump’s world: never upstage the boss. While she’s a rising star, she knows her role is to support Trump, who often speaks directly to the press himself.
A Loyal Trump Ally
Karoline Leavitt has been a loyal Trump supporter for years. She served as a spokeswoman for his 2024 campaign and worked in his press office during his first term. Leavitt even ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022 on a pro-Trump, pro-gun ownership platform, though she lost that race.
Leavitt’s loyalty to Trump is unwavering. When he survived an assassination attempt at a rally last June, she returned to work just four days after giving birth to her first child. “I looked at my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work,’” she told a conservative magazine.
A Battle Over Transparency
Leavitt has become a key figure in a growing battle over transparency and press access. She has defended decisions to block certain outlets, like the Associated Press, from White House events. The AP was barred after refusing to use the term “Gulf of America” for the Gulf of Mexico, a name change ordered by Trump.
Leavitt argued that the new name was a “fact,” even though Mexico and other countries disagree. This move has been criticized as an attempt to silence critics and control the media narrative.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for the White House Press
Karoline Leavitt’s early days as press secretary have been anything but quiet. Her bold moves and loyal support for Trump have shaken up the White House press corps and raised questions about the future of press access under this administration.
As Leavitt continues to navigate her role, one thing is clear: she’s a force to be reckoned with. Whether you agree with her approach or not, she’s certainly making her mark in Washington, D.C.