Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, has made quite an impact in her first two weeks on the job, earning a reputation for her sharp retorts and gaining monikers such as the 'fake news grim reaper' and the 'spinmeister.
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Her appearances in the briefing room and on television have been frequent, leading to a barrage of headlines accusing Donald Trump of overwhelming the media with news, making it challenging for fact-checkers and critics to respond.
Leavitt attributes the brisk pace of the White House press office to one primary factor. "I think the main driver for doing so much in such a short amount of time is the President's desire to deliver," she shared with DailyMail.com from her West Wing office, reflecting on a hectic week under the spotlight. She further explained that Trump had instructed his transition team to sign as many documents as possible, as quickly as possible, to demonstrate his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises. "And so we've done a lot," she stated, unapologetically. "I think it's very difficult for the legacy media, especially the cable news folks, to keep up with all we are doing."
As reported by Daily Mail, Leavitt's desk is strewn with annotated printouts as she prepares for her second briefing of the week. Her role requires her to be prepared to address a range of issues, from follow-ups on the president's claim that diversity hires were behind the Reagan airport disaster, to the latest developments in Ukraine.
The role of the Press Secretary is one of the most high-profile positions in the White House, second only to the president. As the face of the administration, every wardrobe change or hairstyle is subject to intense scrutiny. Despite the pressures of the job, Leavitt has been a constant presence at the President's side during his first trip of his second presidency, accompanying him on Air Force One to North Carolina, California, Nevada, and Florida over four days. This is a demanding schedule for anyone, let alone a 27-year-old mother with a six-month-old at home.
In her first White House briefing to the assembled press corps, Leavitt did not hesitate to express her views. "Americans trust in mass media has fallen to a record low," she declared, announcing plans to bring in new media and bloggers and podcasters who had previously been denied access. Her demeanor during the briefing earned her a backhanded compliment from the New York Times, which described her as 'steely and unflinching.'
Leavitt's ability to handle tricky questions and spin facts earned her the nickname 'spinmeister' from CNN's fact-checker. During a tense exchange with Good Morning America host Michael Strahan, she deftly responded to his question about plans to force federal government workers back into their offices, earning her another nickname, the 'fake news grim reaper.' The exchange quickly went viral on social media, garnering over three million views.
Leavitt's schedule includes three weekly briefings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, unless the president is holding his own press conference. During these briefings, she has outlined plans for the Israeli prime minister's visit and previewed new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. However, she has also had to defend the president's use of an expletive and mock the media for their skepticism about the Covid virus leaking from a Chinese laboratory.
Leavitt's first week taking center stage was filled with countless jabs, and she assured DailyMail.com that the pace would not slow down in the coming weeks. "Our team is made up of exceptionally qualified and hard-working individuals who are here when the sun is rising and stay until long after the sun has set," she said. "And you know, I think we are delivering on what the President promised and doing exactly what the American people expected out of a Trump term."
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