Karoline Leavitt Claims Reporters Apologized for 'Unfair' Questions
The former White House press secretary described press briefings as 'performative' and suggested journalists were often pressured by their editors.
Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that reporters have privately apologized to her for posing "unfair" questions, characterizing the press briefings as "performative." Leavitt, 29, shared these observations on a recent episode of Sean Hannity's podcast, "Hang Out."
"There's a performative aspect to the briefing room," Leavitt said. "In fairness, I think on both sides, right? But definitely with the press, and they have to do that because their bosses are demanding it."
She elaborated that at times, reporters admitted to asking questions they knew were unfair due to pressure from their employers. "There's been times reporters have even said to me, 'I’m sorry I had to ask that today, you know, my bosses really wanted me to ask that,'" Leavitt recounted. "They know it’s an unfair question but they’re not in control of their own, like, livelihood. They are dictated by the editors and the execs at some of these companies."
Leavitt pointed to changes at CBS News as an example of how network leadership can influence coverage. She expressed approval for recent shifts at the network, stating, "I think we’ve seen a lot of improvement with them, and again, we’re not asking for, like, positive puff pieces every day. Just fairness. Truth. Accuracy."
President Trump announced in August that Leavitt would be leaving her position at the end of the month to focus on her family. Trump described her as a "wonderful" press secretary and one of his "most trusted aides." Leavitt, who is the youngest White House press secretary in history, plans to return to her previous role at MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump political action committee.
Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, have two young children. The White House has not yet named a successor for the press secretary role. Potential candidates previously reported include Alina Habba, Matthew Boyle, Taylor Budowich, Steven Cheung, Katie Miller, Anna Kelly, Monica Crowley, Scott Jennings, and Kari Lake.