CNN Gives Karoline Leavitt Nasty New Nickname After First White House Briefing
Karoline Leavitt made history as the youngest White House press secretary at just 27 years old.
Her debut briefing was nothing short of groundbreaking, setting the tone for a bold and assertive media strategy.
Leavitt wasted no time shaking things up in the White House press briefing room.
She introduced a major change by designating a “new media” seat, allowing independent journalists, podcasters, and social media influencers direct access to the administration.
This move signaled the White House’s recognition of shifting media consumption habits.
Millions of Americans now turn to alternative news sources, bypassing traditional outlets they feel have lost credibility.
“We know for a fact that there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets about this president, about his family, and we will not accept that,” Leavitt declared.
“We will call you out when we feel your reporting is wrong or when misinformation about this White House is spread.”
In another significant decision, Leavitt announced the restoration of more than 400 press passes.
These credentials had been revoked under the previous administration, a move that many journalists had condemned as an attack on press freedom.
“We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House,” she added.
Leavitt’s strong and unwavering approach quickly made her a standout figure in the administration.
She tackled tough questions head-on, particularly regarding President Trump’s controversial federal spending freeze.
Assuring the public, she stated that essential services such as Social Security and food stamps would remain unaffected.
However, when pressed on the impact of the freeze on nonprofit programs like Meals on Wheels, she avoided giving a direct answer.
Her response left many wondering what would happen to these critical social services.
Leavitt also addressed immigration policy in a way that differed drastically from past administrations.
She firmly stated that every undocumented immigrant was considered a criminal under the current administration’s stance.
“If they broke our nation’s laws, yes, they are criminals,” she said when challenged on the issue.
Leavitt’s confident and direct style earned praise from her supporters, who commended her willingness to challenge the media.
Vice President JD Vance publicly praised her performance, calling it a “masterclass” in handling the press.
“She killed it up there, and gave voice to a lot of voices in new media who are actually driving the news,” Vance remarked.
But not everyone was impressed.
CNN’s fact-checker Daniel Dale openly criticized Leavitt for how she handled questions about the spending freeze.
During a live broadcast, he accused her of dodging key concerns, particularly regarding nonprofits.
“It’s a classic spinmeister tactic—saying, ‘I answered that’ when you haven’t answered it and apparently can’t answer it right away,” Dale said on CNN News Central.
“There’s considerable uncertainty around the country among nonprofits of various kinds… So they may not get direct individual payments straight from the federal government, but their lives are very much dependent on the aid that comes through an intermediary organization.”
The sharp remark from CNN led to an immediate backlash on social media.
Supporters of Leavitt rushed to her defense, accusing CNN of bias and claiming the network was unfairly targeting the new press secretary.
Many pointed out that previous press secretaries had been known for avoiding questions, yet they were never labeled as harshly.
Some even argued that the “spinmeister” label was more fitting for Leavitt’s predecessors than for her.
Despite the controversy, Leavitt’s approach signals a major shift in the White House’s media relations strategy.
By prioritizing direct engagement with non-traditional media, the administration aims to bypass legacy outlets and speak directly to the public.
This shift acknowledges a growing mistrust in mainstream media and the increasing influence of alternative news platforms.
As Leavitt continues to face scrutiny, it remains to be seen how she will handle future press briefings.
Her strong debut, however, makes it clear that she has no intention of backing down from challenging the media landscape.
And whether one sees her as a “spinmeister” or a truth-teller, Karoline Leavitt has undoubtedly made her mark on the White House press room.
Feature Image Credit: (@Reuters)