Leavitt Claims White House Reporters Privately Apologized for 'Unfair' Questions
Former press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that some journalists acknowledged their questions were dictated by superiors and unfair.
Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has stated that some reporters covering the White House privately apologized to her, admitting that the questions they asked were "unfair." These comments were made on the podcast "Hang Out with Sean Hannity," where Leavitt discussed what she described as the "performative" nature of press briefings.
"There's been times reporters have even said to me, ‘I'm sorry I had to ask that today. My bosses really wanted me to ask that, they know it's an unfair question,’" Leavitt said, without identifying specific journalists.
Leavitt, who frequently engaged in contentious exchanges with reporters during her tenure, suggested that journalists at major news organizations are often influenced by their editors and executives. "The reporters are controlled by their bosses… They're not in control of their own livelihood," she told host Sean Hannity. "They are dictated by the editors and the execs at some of these companies."
She also characterized the White House briefing room dynamic as having a "performative aspect" on "both sides," but particularly from the press, driven by demands from their superiors.
Despite past contentious interactions, including with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, and sometimes labeling some press members as "left-wing hacks," Leavitt stated she harbors no ill will towards journalists. "I don't hate anyone," she insisted. "There are some I enjoy less than others. I'll say that… There's some that I just don't take seriously because they are just left-wing hacks, as I would call them in the briefing room."
Leavitt credited a "few" reporters for their work but refrained from naming them, expressing concern it could jeopardize that it could harm their careers. She also noted what she perceives as positive leadership changes at some major news outlets, citing improvements at CBS, while maintaining that bias persists at others.
"We're seeing some changes at some networks, but most of them are controlled by far-left liberals who live in New York or D.C., and they dictate what's asked and what's written," Leavitt argued. She emphasized that the press corps is not seeking favorable coverage but rather "fairness, truth, accuracy, just telling a story or writing about factual information."
Leavitt's full interview is available on platforms including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.