White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke out for the first time since leaving the White House last month to spend more time with her family. Few, however, are buying her story.
Leavitt appeared on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, claiming that the press briefing room is largely "performative," though she admitted it comes from both sides.
She claimed that reporters have to get their soundbite "on the evening news."
"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,’" she said.
"The reporters are controlled by their bosses … They're not in control of their own livelihood," she told Sean Hannity. "They are dictated by the editors and the execs at some of these companies."
Leavitt said that the reporters are being controlled by those on the far-left who run their networks.
"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 claimed. "We are not asking for like positive puff pieces every day, just fairness, truth, accuracy, just telling a story or writing about factual information."
Folks weren't buying it, though.
The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson labeled it a "mountain of horse——."
Long-time reporter and columnist Brian Karem agreed. "Horse——. This woman was a 'pep' secretary and has NO credibility. She lied with impunity — this sounds like she is talking about herself."
Attorney and former mayor Will Cox said, "Gimme a break.
Emmy Award-winning reporter Phil Gianficaro commented, "I’ll take 'things that never happened' for $200, Ken."
"Out of all the things that didn’t happen, this didn’t happen the most," said one man.
Politico columnist Jonathan Martin also disagreed that it ever happened by mocking one of Trump's frequently used embellishments for his stories: "When she said it was 'a big guy with tears in his eyes' who called Trump 'sir?' She really sold you out," he said tagging reporter Josh Dawsey.
Kari Baxter Donovan, a Trump supporter, claimed, "I believe her. I know some of them. There are some good people in that mix."
"Nonsense. They basically kiss ass to get coverage and rarely asked or followed up on tough questions," said a man who calls himself a "Christian" and "Husband."