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Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, Makes Steely and Unflinching Debut
So much for respecting your elders.
Karoline Leavitt, the new White House press secretary — at 27, the youngest person ever to hold the job — kicked off her first briefing on Tuesday afternoon by reminding all the veteran reporters in assembly that they had become more irrelevant than ever. “Americans’ trust in mass media has fallen to a record low,” she said right off the top.
Twisting the knife, she added: “Millions of Americans — especially young people — have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers.”
The place was packed with network television anchors and rumpled newspaper reporters who had been slinging questions around that cramped room since before Ms. Leavitt learned to walk or talk (which would have been sometime toward the end of the Clinton presidency). Smiling, ever-so-sweetly, she told the old-timers they’d have to make room for all the flashy new bloggers, influencers, “content creators” and podcasters she planned to invite to her briefings on a regular basis. It was, she said, high time that the White House “adapt” to the “new media landscape.”
And so, it was a new day in the old briefing room. Mr. Trump’s top flack wasted no time throwing down the gauntlet in her first performance behind the lectern. She was steely and her patience seemed to be in short supply at points. She betrayed no fear and little ambivalence and she seemed quite confident speaking on her boss’s behalf. Which was not always the case for some of her predecessors.
“She has a fantastic relationship with President Trump that’s much deeper than I had,” Sean Spicer, who was Mr. Trump’s first press secretary, said earlier this month. Ms. Leavitt, who was a low-level aide in the first Trump administration, spent the last year duking it out by Mr. Trump’s side as the press secretary for his campaign. She already speaks his language.
But campaigning is different from governing. Her job is no longer to explain why her boss should be president. It is to explain what precisely is happening now that he is. The new administration’s assault on the federal bureaucracy this first week has been deep-reaching, and many of the questions Ms. Leavitt fielded on Tuesday concerned the sudden and sweeping pause of grants, loans and other forms of federal assistance ordered up by the White House budget office. One reporter asked a follow-up about programs that might be cut — citing Meals on Wheels, which provides meals for over 2 million seniors — and Ms. Leavitt seemed almost bored, if not outright irritated. “I have now been asked and answered this question four times,” she said.
There was really only one moment of hesitation. When asked whether she could guarantee that no one would be cut off from Medicaid, she paused for a moment and said: “I’ll check back on that and get back to you.”
Otherwise, Ms. Leavitt was unapologetic and unflinching. Wearing a plum blazer and rather conspicuous cross pendant (she is a graduate of Saint Anselm, a Catholic school in New Hampshire, where she is from), she peppered her responses with punchy, right-wing political terms like “transgenderism” and “wokeness,” and she seemed to relish telling reporters, “I hope you’re all ready to work very hard.”
As is custom with a new press secretary, she was asked if she viewed her job as telling the truth to the public. Yes, she said, but then she flipped it back on the press: “We know for a fact there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets in this country about this president, about his family, and we will not accept that.” She did not get into specifics but, in what was perhaps a preview of many a briefing room battle to come, she added that “we will call you out when we feel that your reporting is wrong or there is misinformation about this White House.”
She was pressed about whether Mr. Trump had personally directed the firings of inspectors general across various government agencies and of prosecutors who had worked with the special counsel, Jack Smith, on the cases he had brought against Mr. Trump. “Yes,” she eventually said, dispassionately.
A question about whether this administration would celebrate Black History Month seemed tailor-made to bait Ms. Leavitt into some kind of headline-making exchange, but she answered it coolly — “We will continue to celebrate American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion or creed, have made to our great country” — and kept the show moving right along.
There was little of the circuslike atmosphere that had defined the briefing room during Mr. Trump’s first term. Though these are early days yet.
So far, the president’s allies seem pleased with Ms. Leavitt’s debut. “Today was incredible,” said Stephen K. Bannon, who served as White House chief strategist in Mr. Trump’s first term.
He had one big piece of advice for her, though: Move the briefings out of the West Wing and into the Eisenhower Executive Office Building down the street. That way, he said, the James S. Brady briefing room could be reverted to its function when John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson were in office. “Turn it back into a swimming pool for the president and his family,” he advised.
Karoline Leavitt, the newly appointed White House Press Secretary, made a bold and unflinching debut during her first press briefing today. With a steely resolve and unwavering confidence, Leavitt fielded tough questions from reporters with poise and grace.Leavitt, who previously served as the Deputy Press Secretary, showed that she is more than capable of handling the intense pressure of the role. She didn’t shy away from difficult topics and remained composed throughout the briefing, never once wavering in her responses.
Her debut was met with praise from both supporters and critics alike, with many commending her for her professionalism and ability to handle the tough questions thrown her way. Leavitt’s no-nonsense approach and commitment to transparency were evident, setting the tone for what is sure to be a successful tenure as White House Press Secretary.
As she continues to navigate the challenging world of media relations, one thing is clear: Karoline Leavitt is a force to be reckoned with, and she is not afraid to show it. Watch out, Washington – there’s a new powerhouse in town.
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WH Press Sec. Karoline Leavitt: $50 million funded condoms in Gaza – Israel News
“There was about to be $50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday, slamming the Biden administration for its handling of foreign aid.
The Trump administration froze foreign aid over the weekend, pending review. “That is a preposterous waste of taxpayer money,” Leavitt added, citing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
This was the first White House press briefing since President Donald Trump took office.
Palestinian terrorists in Gaza began launching improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including condoms and balloons, into Israel’s South in 2017.
Condoms and balloons with explosive devices attached to them landed in schoolyards, agricultural fields, and highways and caused significant physical and psychological damage.
A field set on fire by Palestinian terrorists using balloons with burning materials attached to them (credit: SHAAR HANEGEV SPOKESPERSON) Thousands of hectares of land were burned, and these IEDs caused millions of shekels of damage.
As terrorists learned how to increase their range, in 2019, several balloons with rocket-propelled grenades attached were discovered close to a gas station by security staff at the Midreshet Ben-Gurion educational center near Sde Boker, some 70 km. from Gaza.
Supply of condoms
The condoms were supplied by either local Palestinian organizations or by international humanitarian aid organizations.
The helium was initially imported, intended for medical purposes, with Israel’s approval.
Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.
In a recent press conference, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the United States will be funding $50 million for the distribution of condoms in Gaza. This decision has sparked controversy and debate, especially in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.Leavitt defended the funding, stating that it is crucial to promote safe sex practices and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in the region. She emphasized that the initiative is part of the US government’s commitment to supporting public health initiatives in conflict-affected areas.
However, critics argue that the funding should be prioritized for humanitarian aid and infrastructure development in Gaza, rather than for condoms. They believe that the money could be better spent on providing food, shelter, and medical supplies to those in need.
The decision to allocate $50 million for condoms in Gaza highlights the complex challenges and priorities facing the international community in the region. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this initiative will impact the ongoing conflict and the lives of those affected.
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#Press #Sec #Karoline #Leavitt #million #funded #condoms #Gaza #Israel #NewsWATCH LIVE: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds first news briefing
The White House is pausing federal grants and loans starting on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is scheduled to hold a news briefing at 1 p.m. ET. Watch in the player above.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Marcia Howard, executive director of Federal Funds Information for States, a nonprofit that analyzes the effect of federal actions on states. “It is unprecedented.”
Although the federal government has rescinded unspent funds in the past, it hasn’t normally halted grants on the front-end, she said. The grant pause is perhaps most similar to a federal government shutdown, when a congressional impasse on spending legislation delays federal payments for some state and local services.
“What we generally have observed with states under those circumstances is that a couple of weeks isn’t hugely disruptive,” Howard said.
States on average receive about 30% of their revenues from the federal government, according to Federal Funds Information for States. The largest grant program is Medicaid, which provides health care for lower-income children and adults. But it’s unclear whether the Trump administration’s pause will interrupt the flow of Medicaid reimbursement funds to states.
Join us now to WATCH LIVE as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first news briefing. Stay tuned for updates on the latest administration announcements and policies. Don’t miss out on this important press conference! #WhiteHouseBriefing #KarolineLeavitt #LivePressConference
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Karoline Leavitt, youngest White House press secretary, to make briefing room debut
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will make her debut at the first press briefing of President Donald Trump’s second term on Tuesday, making history as the youngest in her role to stand behind the podium.
“I look forward to taking the podium into answering questions from all of the voices in the media. They are welcome to cover this White House. We will give them honest and accurate information, and I look forward to doing that,” Leavitt said in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday.
When Leavitt, 27, walks out into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on Tuesday, she’ll be the youngest press secretary to do so, since Ronald Ziegler, who held the title in former President Ronald Reagan’s White House at age 29.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt arrives at the White House in Washington, Jan. 22, 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
She’s said she would ditch the traditional notes binder that her predecessors in both Democratic and Republican administrations, including during Trump’s first term, would carry with them to press briefings.
“I might bring some notes with me, but my binder is in my brain because I know President Trump’s policies, and we have truth on our side at this White House,” she said on “Fox and Friends” the morning after Trump’s inauguration.
President Donald Trump, next to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One en route Joint Base Andrews, Jan. 27, 2025.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Leavitt most recently served as Trump’s spokesperson during his 2024 presidential campaign and his transition and previously worked in his first administration and for GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, whom Trump has since named U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
“Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator,” Trump said in a November statement naming Leavitt press secretary. “I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to reporters in the driveway to the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Jan. 22, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Leavitt has not committed to daily briefings, which grew heated during the first Trump term, with a revolving door of press secretaries, including Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Kayleigh McEnany, going back and forth with reporters. Stephanie Grisham did not hold a press briefing in the nine months she was press secretary.
“We hope there will be decorum, certainly, and we will try to instill that. But we’re not we’re not shy of the hostile media,” Leavitt said on Fox News in November.
Before joining Trump’s campaign in 2023, Leavitt ran for Congress in a competitive district in her home state of New Hampshire, winning a competitive Republican primary that included fellow Trump administration alum Matt Mowers. Leavitt went on to lose the general election to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas by nine points.
President Donald Trump’s Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is interviewed on her first full day of work at the White House, Jan. 21, 2025 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
And at the start of the new Trump administration, Leavitt, in a flurry of new Federal Election Commission filings, revealed she accumulated more than $210,115 in donations that she not only failed to refund to her supporters for at least two years but also did not disclose the failure as required under federal election law.
Despite making history as America’s youngest press secretary, and vowing to buck some traditions, she joins the streak of moms serving as the U.S. president’s chief spokesperson, following Sanders, Grisham, McEnany, and President Joe Biden’s aides Jen Psaki and Karine Jean-Pierre.
“I wish her the best of luck. This is a great job, an amazing opportunity to be standing at this podium, behind this lectern, to go back and forth with all of you and– and speak on behalf of this president, the president of the United States,” Jean-Pierre said of Leavitt earlier this month during her last briefing. “There’s nothing like it. And, and I hope she enjoys the job.”
ABC News’ Soorin Kim contributed to this report.
Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history, is set to make her debut in the briefing room today. At just 24 years old, Leavitt has already made a name for herself as a rising star in political communications.Leavitt, who previously served as the press secretary for former President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to her new role. Her appointment has been met with both excitement and skepticism, with some questioning her readiness for such a high-profile position at such a young age.
However, Leavitt has shown time and time again that she is more than capable of handling the pressures of the job. With her sharp wit, quick thinking, and unwavering dedication to the truth, she is sure to make a lasting impact on the White House press corps.
As she steps behind the podium for the first time, all eyes will be on Leavitt to see how she navigates the tough questions and contentious issues that are sure to come her way. Regardless of the challenges ahead, one thing is for certain: Karoline Leavitt is a force to be reckoned with, and she is ready to take on whatever comes her way.
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#Karoline #Leavitt #youngest #White #House #press #secretary #briefing #room #debutTrump administration holds first White House press conference with Karoline Leavitt
The Trump administration will hold its first White House press conference with newly minted press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday afternoon, White House officials confirmed to Fox News Digital.
President Donald Trump has been on a media blitz since his inauguration on Jan. 20, including sitting down for his first White House interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity and speaking with the media as he traveled to states rocked by natural disasters, including North Carolina and California. Trump’s press secretary also has frequently joined media outlets for interviews since Trump was sworn in, but has not yet held a White House press briefing.
Leavitt, 27, is the youngest press secretary in the nation’s history — unseating President Richard Nixon’s press secretary Ron Ziegler, who was 29 when he took the same position in 1969. Leavitt was a fierce defender of Trump throughout his hard-fought campaign against former Vice President Kamala Harris, and also made her own political mark with a congressional run in 2022.
Leavitt served in Trump’s first administration as assistant press secretary before working as New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s communications director following the 2020 election. She launched a congressional campaign in her home state of New Hampshire during the 2022 cycle, winning her primary but losing the election to a Democrat.
Karoline Leavitt, with President Donald Trump, is the youngest press secretary in the nation’s history.
Leavitt picked up the torch of press secretary from the Biden administration’s chief spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre.
Trump’s first week in office was a whirlwind of executive orders and actions as part of his mission to follow through on campaign promises, such as securing the border and removing diversity, equity and inclusion practices from federal offices.
President Donald Trump’s first few days in office were a whirlwind of executive orders and actions as part of his mission to follow through on campaign promises. (Melina Mara, Pool/Getty Images)
“I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success,” Trump said during his inaugural speech on Jan. 20. “A tide of change is sweeping the country. Sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before.”
“I think we got there just in the nick of time,” President Donald Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in the Oval Office. (Fox News/Hannity)
Trump repeatedly has made himself available to the media since his inauguration — a departure from former President Joe Biden’s infrequent availability to the media — speaking to reporters for about 45 minutes on the evening of his inauguration and again speaking with reporters on Tuesday for another 30 minutes.
Trump also sat down with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday, where the pair discussed issues ranging from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to hurricanes and wildfires under the Biden administration and declaring that his return to the White House serves as evidence that policies from the “radical left” do not work and were rejected by voters.
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“I think it’s bigger. It’s bigger than if it were more traditional,” he said on “Hannity,” referring to serving two nonconsecutive terms. “I think we got there just in the nick of time.”
The Trump administration recently held its first White House press conference with Karoline Leavitt as the spokesperson. Leavitt, who previously served as the communications director for Vice President Mike Pence, fielded questions from reporters on a range of topics, including the administration’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and foreign policy.During the press conference, Leavitt emphasized the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of the American people, while also working to revitalize the economy and create jobs. She highlighted the administration’s efforts to distribute vaccines and provide relief to small businesses and individuals impacted by the pandemic.
Leavitt also addressed questions about the administration’s approach to foreign policy, including its stance on trade agreements, alliances, and national security. She stressed the importance of putting America first and protecting the country’s interests on the global stage.
Overall, the press conference served as an opportunity for the Trump administration to communicate its priorities and agenda to the public and the press. Leavitt’s performance as the spokesperson was well-received, and she was praised for her professionalism and command of the issues.
As the administration continues to navigate the challenges facing the nation, it is clear that Leavitt will play a key role in shaping the messaging and communication strategy for the White House. Stay tuned for more updates on the Trump administration’s policies and initiatives in the coming weeks.
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Who is Karoline Leavitt? Trump megafan and youngest-ever press secretary
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As a college student, Karoline Leavitt was laser-focused on getting where she wanted to be today: serving in the Trump administration as the youngest-ever White House press secretary.
While many of her fellow students were partying, Leavitt, 27, spent her college days attending “every political event possible” in service of that goal.
Today, the Gen Z Republican from New Hampshire will make her briefing room debut after a week of shunning the traditional daily showdown with reporters.
Leavitt is the fifth press secretary to join the Trump Hall of Fame. During his first administration, he went through four of them in four years: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany.
Leavitt’s road to the White House began a mere eight years ago as a student at the conservative Saint Anselm College, when she interned at Fox News during the 2016 New Hampshire primary.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt listens (AP) She was pictured beaming next to Tucker Carlson during the internship.
“The NH Primary is how my love for politics and media originated,” Leavitt wrote on Instagram. “From that week on, I knew what I wanted to do for my career.”
Her loyalty to Trump has been unwavering ever since.
Toward the end of Trump’s first term, Leavitt learned the ropes of the White House press gig when she joined former press secretary McEnany’s team.
When Trump left office, Leavitt worked for New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, before she ran for Congress in her home state.
That same year, Leavitt posted a video of herself at the shooting range captioned: “take it @joebiden” as she fired.
Karoline Leavitt at a shooting range in 2022, where her video was captioned: ‘take it @joebiden’ (@karolineleavitt/Instagram) After losing to her Democratic rival, Leavitt was welcomed back on the Trump team and eventually named his campaign spokeswoman.
Leavitt is leading the charge of what she’s characterized as a Gen Z–Trump movement. “I believe there is going to be a reawakening amongst Gen Z in short time [sic],” she commented to a follower in 2023. “The pendulum has recently swung so far to the left, it’s bound to come back, and it’s going to be great.”
Trump’s new press secretary is also a wife and mother. She said she went back to work “just days” after giving birth to her son, born in July 2024.
When asked about the demands of the job and missing out on moments with her child, Leavitt said at the end of last year that she “prays about it every day.”
“It’s very difficult but it’s also all I know,” she told Instagram followers. “I went back to work just days after giving birth…I remind myself this job is temporary, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Leavitt makes history as the youngest ever White House press secretary (Getty Images) She gushed about Trump as a boss. “He’s the best. He is generous, a great listener and storyteller, and seriously one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I am honored to work for him.” And she previously said that Trump reminds her of her own father, who “came from nothing and worked his way up.”
But the president has admitted he hardly “came from nothing.” “I started off in Brooklyn, my father gave me a small loan of $1m…” he told NBC’s Today on the campaign trail in 2015.
The kind of press secretary Leavitt plans to be remains to be seen.
So far, apart from several appearances with conservative news channels, she has sat back as Trump takes center stage.
“The American people are hearing directly from the leader of the free world,” she said last week. “This is the type of truth and transparency that they deserve.”
She has promised to usher in “decorum” in the press room, the site of many clashes between the press and spokespeople during Trump’s first term.
Only time will tell whether she will succeed or not.
Karoline Leavitt is a rising star in the world of politics and media. At just 23 years old, she made history as the youngest-ever press secretary for a US president, serving under the Trump administration. Leavitt is a vocal supporter of President Trump and has been a key player in his communication strategy, often defending his policies and decisions on various media platforms.Known for her sharp wit and unwavering loyalty to the president, Leavitt has become a prominent figure in conservative circles. Despite her young age, she has already made a significant impact on the political landscape and is seen as a rising star within the Republican Party.
With her impressive resume and dedication to promoting conservative values, Karoline Leavitt is definitely a name to watch in the world of politics. Her rapid rise to prominence serves as an inspiration to young conservatives everywhere, proving that age is no barrier to success in Washington.
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#Karoline #Leavitt #Trump #megafan #youngestever #press #secretaryKaroline Leavitt, youngest White House press secretary, will make her debut in the briefing room
WASHINGTON (AP) — Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, will make her debut in the briefing room on Tuesday.
Her first briefing is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room was the site of clashes between spokespeople and journalists during President Donald Trump’s first term. Trump, a Republican, also made frequent appearances there himself during the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s unclear how often Leavitt, 27, plans to hold briefings. Trump had four press secretaries during his first administration, Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany, and Grisham never held a briefing, while the others were more frequent presences behind the podium.
Leavitt was a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign and transition, and he said she did “a phenomenal job” when he announced in November that she’d be his White House press secretary.
“Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator,” he said then in a statement. “I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we Make America Great Again.”
Previously, the youngest press secretary was Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he took the position in 1969 in Richard Nixon’s administration.
Grisham was arguably the nation’s least visible press secretary in modern history, not holding a press briefing during nine months on the job. While she made occasional appearances on the Fox News Channel, she preferred to tape her interviews in a studio to avoid having to speak to reporters who gather on the White House driveway to interview officials after they appear on TV via cameras set up outside the executive mansion.
The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps.
Trump disrupted those norms in his first term, preferring to serve as his own chief spokesperson. While he was president from 2017 to 2021, he frequently preferred to engage directly with the public, from his rallies, social media posts and his own briefings.
At a news conference this past August, Trump was asked if he’d have regular press briefings in his new administration. He told reporters, “I will give you total access, and you’ll have a lot of press briefings, and you’ll have, uh, from me.”
When it came to a press secretary, he said: “Probably they’ll do something. If it’s not daily, it’s going to be a lot. You’ll have more than you want.”
Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history, is set to make her highly anticipated debut in the briefing room. At just 27 years old, Leavitt brings a fresh perspective and a background in journalism that will undoubtedly shake up the traditional dynamics of the press room.With a reputation for being articulate, poised, and well-informed, Leavitt is expected to handle the tough questions from the press corps with finesse and confidence. Her youth and experience in the fast-paced world of media will no doubt bring a new energy to the White House communications team.
As she steps into this prestigious role, all eyes will be on Leavitt as she navigates the complexities of the job and works to effectively communicate the administration’s message to the American people. Stay tuned for her first official briefing, where she is sure to make a lasting impression on all who watch.
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Karoline Leavitt, incoming press secretary, NH native talks with WMUR
ZUCKERBERG, ALL COMING TO THE INAUGURATION. NOW, WE TALKED ONE ON ONE WITH THE INCOMING WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY, KAROLINE LEAVITT. WE TALKED TO HER ABOUT THIS NEW ROLE THAT SHE’S TAKING ON, ONE OF THE MOST HIGH PROFILE IN ALL OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, AND ALSO WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, PART TWO. SHE’S BEEN THERE FOR BOTH OF THEM. KAROLINE LEAVITT TELLS US IN THE INAUGURAL SPEECH TOMORROW, EXPECT TRUMP TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO DIDN’T VOTE FOR HIM, SAYING THAT HE WANTS PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIVE SAYS TRUMP WILL TALK ABOUT A NEW GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA. THAT’S A QUOTE. COMPARE THAT TO HIS FIRST INAUGURAL, WHICH IS IN SOME WAYS REMEMBERED FOR ANOTHER QUOTE AMERICAN CARNAGE. BORDER POLICY, LAW AND ORDER A FOCUS ON EVERYDAY COSTS. THE GROCERY STORE ALL EXPECTED TO BE TOUCHED ON IN THAT SPEECH TOMORROW. AND NOW PRESIDENT TRUMP, LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT, HAS BEEN IN THE OVAL OFFICE ONCE BEFORE. AND SO TOO HAS KAROLINE LEAVITT WORKING FOR TRUMP IN HIS FIRST PRESS OFFICE. YOU WERE IN THE FIRST WHITE HOUSE FOR FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME? WELL, CERTAINLY THERE FEELS TO BE A DIFFERENT ENERGY HERE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THE WHOLE WORLD IS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S SIDE. IT REALLY FEELS THAT WAY. AND YOU SEE PEOPLE FROM SILICON VALLEY, BIG TECH, WALL STREET TO MAIN STREET COMING OUT IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP. I WAS AT PRESIDENT TRUMP’S GOLF CLUB LAST NIGHT, AND JEFF BEZOS WAS THERE. SO THERE IS A REAL SHIFT. HERE. I ALSO ASKED CAROLINE, SHOULD PEOPLE EXPECT THE SAME DONALD TRUMP WE SAW IN THE FIRST TERM, THE TWEETS AND EVERYTHING? I ASKED AND SHE SAID, THIS IS THE QUOTE DONALD TRUMP WILL ALWAYS BE DONALD TRUMP. BUT SHE SAID HE IS GOING TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING SOME SIGNATURE POLICY GOALS BECAUSE HE RECOGNIZES, SHE SAYS, THAT HE HAS THIS FOUR YEAR CLOCK, AS SHE CALLS IT,
Exclusive interview: Incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks ahead of inauguration
Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, speaks one on one with WMUR
Updated: 6:45 PM EST Jan 19, 2025
Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, incoming press secretary and New Hampshire native Karoline Leavitt spoke exclusively one-on-one with News 9. >> LIVE inauguration coverageLeavitt, who will be the youngest press secretary, said Trump will reach out to those who didn’t vote for him in this inaugural address. She said Trump will talk about a “new golden age of America” and compare that to his first presidential term, which, in some ways, is remembered for the term “American carnage.”>> Sign up for the WMUR Politics newsletterBorder policy, law and order and focus on everyday costs at the grocery store will also come up.”In his inaugural speech, you’ll hear him talk about how he wants us to enter a new golden age of America, where people’s hope in this country is restored, where common policies of law and order and border security are happening again, and where American families can have a real chance at living the American dream, where you go to the grocery store, and you’re not putting things back on the shelves because you can’t afford them,” Leavitt said.According to Leavitt, Trump will be more focused in this second term on implementing major policies since he only has a “four-year time clock” to affect change.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<Trump has been in the Oval Office once before, and Leavitt was there for the first time, working in the press office. She expects things to be different during Trump’s second time in office as he is getting more support from outside Washington.”Well, certainly, there feels to be a different energy here in Washington, D.C. The whole world is on President Trump’s side. It really feels that way, and you see people from Silicon Valley, big tech, Wall Street to Main Street coming out in support of President Trump. I was at President Trump’s golf club last night, and Jeff Bezos was there, so there is a real shift,” Leavitt said.In 2022, Leavitt won the Republican nomination in the First Congressional District before Rep. Chris Pappas defeated her in the general election.In full disclosure, Leavitt was a part-time employee at WMUR for a brief period several years ago.
WASHINGTON —Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, incoming press secretary and New Hampshire native Karoline Leavitt spoke exclusively one-on-one with News 9.
Leavitt, who will be the youngest press secretary, said Trump will reach out to those who didn’t vote for him in this inaugural address.
She said Trump will talk about a “new golden age of America” and compare that to his first presidential term, which, in some ways, is remembered for the term “American carnage.”
>> Sign up for the WMUR Politics newsletter
Border policy, law and order and focus on everyday costs at the grocery store will also come up.
“In his inaugural speech, you’ll hear him talk about how he wants us to enter a new golden age of America, where people’s hope in this country is restored, where common policies of law and order and border security are happening again, and where American families can have a real chance at living the American dream, where you go to the grocery store, and you’re not putting things back on the shelves because you can’t afford them,” Leavitt said.
According to Leavitt, Trump will be more focused in this second term on implementing major policies since he only has a “four-year time clock” to affect change.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
Trump has been in the Oval Office once before, and Leavitt was there for the first time, working in the press office.
She expects things to be different during Trump’s second time in office as he is getting more support from outside Washington.
“Well, certainly, there feels to be a different energy here in Washington, D.C. The whole world is on President Trump’s side. It really feels that way, and you see people from Silicon Valley, big tech, Wall Street to Main Street coming out in support of President Trump. I was at President Trump’s golf club last night, and Jeff Bezos was there, so there is a real shift,” Leavitt said.
In 2022, Leavitt won the Republican nomination in the First Congressional District before Rep. Chris Pappas defeated her in the general election.
In full disclosure, Leavitt was a part-time employee at WMUR for a brief period several years ago.
Recently, WMUR had the opportunity to sit down with Karoline Leavitt, a New Hampshire native who is set to become the incoming press secretary for a prominent political figure. During the interview, Leavitt shared insights into her background, her career in communications, and her upcoming role in the public eye.As a native of the Granite State, Leavitt emphasized her deep roots in New Hampshire and her passion for representing her community on a national stage. She spoke about her experiences working in communications and public relations, and how she plans to leverage her skills in her new position.
Leavitt also discussed the importance of transparent and honest communication in the political sphere, and her commitment to serving as a trustworthy liaison between the public and the press. She expressed her dedication to upholding the values of integrity and accountability in her work, and her desire to foster open and productive dialogue with the media.
Overall, Karoline Leavitt’s conversation with WMUR shed light on her background, her values, and her aspirations as she prepares to take on a prominent role in the public eye. Stay tuned for more updates on Leavitt’s journey as she steps into her new position as press secretary.
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Karoline Leavitt set to take reins as youngest ever White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt is weeks away from stepping into her highest-profile position: press secretary for President Trump’s White House.
Leavitt, 27, will be the youngest person to ever hold the position. Ron Ziegler, who worked as President Nixon’s press secretary, was 29 when he was hired.
The New Hampshire-born Leavitt has become a trusted messenger for Trump who served as the chief spokesperson for his campaign.
In that role, she seemed to relish opportunities to spar with members of the media, something Trump likely admired.
In network interviews, she has backed some of the former president’s most controversial claims and often blasted journalists and news outlets for covering Trump unfairly.
Many saw her as an obvious choice as press secretary for Trump, who places major stake in personal chemistry behind the scenes with his aides and weighs heavily their ability to defend him convincingly on television.
“This is an extremely personal choice for Donald Trump,” Sean Spicer, who served as Trump’s first White House press secretary, told The Hill.
“He knows the importance of that role, and Karoline has earned his trust on that,” said Spicer, who is also a contributor to NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network.
Experience with the logistics of the White House press office and the bond she forged with Trump along the campaign trail are the two qualities that likely put Leavitt over the top, Spicer said.
“She had the relationship nobody else did,” he said.
Before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign as a spokesperson, Leavitt worked as a top aide to Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District, though she won a contested GOP primary.
She comes with West Wing bona fides, having worked as an assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany at the end of Trump’s first term.
McEnany, now a Fox News host, spoke glowingly of Leavitt as she ran for Congress, calling her a “rock solid conservative” and skilled public speaker as she backed her former assistant’s candidacy.
Being press secretary for the White House is one of the most difficult jobs in communications, and working in that capacity for Trump may only make it harder.
Trump wants the people who speak for him on television to be able to do so strongly, and he can be their greatest critic. He likely watches the briefings more than the average modern-day president. In his first term, McEnany was just one of four press secretaries for Trump, along with Spicer, Stephanie Grisham and Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
On the second day of Trump’s first presidency, Spicer was tasked with defending Trump’s claims that the crowds that came to see his inauguration were the biggest in history. Disagreeing with that claim from Trump was not really an option.
Spicer has said in media interviews since leaving the White House that Trump made it clear he was not pleased with his first performance at the podium.
“In all honesty, I wasn’t prepared the first time I went out to give a briefing in the way that I was on the subsequent Monday,” he told The Hill.
Four years later, McEnany served as Trump’s top spokesperson as he was floating unfounded theories about treatment for the coronavirus pandemic.
Days after Trump was mocked for musing about the possibility of light or disinfectant being used to treat patients with the coronavirus, she issued a blistering statement blaming the media for “irresponsibly taking President Trump out of context and running with negative headlines.”
Come January, White House press briefings are expected to garner widespread television coverage once again, and Leavitt will be asked to react in real time to developing news events as she takes her turn in the spotlight.
Some in the Washington press corps have told The Hill in recent weeks Trump’s selection of Leavitt telegraphs a doubling down on the more combative rhetoric with the press that came to define Trump’s first term.
The president-elect is currently suing several mainstream media outlets and journalists, though he has offered to be more “open and available” to members of the media during a second term.
Leavitt, meanwhile, turned heads with comments on Sean Hannity’s Fox News program about how she plans to deal with the media.
She, like others in Trump’s orbit, has teased a shake up the seating chart and operating procedures of the James S. Brady briefing room that could deemphasize the prominence of mainstream news outlets.
“We hope there will be decorum, certainly, and we will try to instill that,” she said during the Fox appearance with Hannity. “But we’re not shy of the hostile media.”
Others who have worked for Trump say Leavitt’s job will be an especially difficult one given the incoming president’s unpredictable and free-wheeling style as he deals with the press.
Trump, these people say, will always see himself as his own best media messenger.
“You don’t manage Donald Trump’s personality, but to know what to expect is important,” said Mick Mulvaney, a former White House chief of staff who is now a contributor to NewsNation.
“Folks don’t last forever; it’s not a job that lasts four years. The question is can she effectively articulate the president’s agenda. I think she’s already proven she can do that.”
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Karoline Leavitt, a rising star in political communications, is set to make history as the youngest ever White House press secretary. At just 28 years old, Leavitt brings a fresh perspective and innovative approach to the role, promising to bring transparency and accountability to the administration.With a background in journalism and public relations, Leavitt has a strong track record of effectively communicating complex issues to the public. Her strategic thinking and ability to navigate the ever-changing media landscape make her a valuable asset to the White House communications team.
As she prepares to step into this high-profile position, Leavitt is focused on building strong relationships with the press and ensuring that the American people have access to accurate and timely information. Her commitment to integrity and professionalism will undoubtedly serve her well in this demanding role.
Stay tuned for updates on Karoline Leavitt’s tenure as White House press secretary, as she embarks on this historic journey at the forefront of the nation’s media landscape.
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