President Donald Trump sparked fresh headlines after jokingly calling out White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a media briefing, as he complained about what he described as overwhelmingly negative coverage from the press.
The moment came as Trump once again turned his frustration toward what he called the “fake press,” claiming that between 93% and 97% of stories about him are negative. In the middle of that rant, he briefly turned his attention to Leavitt, delivering a line that quickly went viral.
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While the remark drew laughter in the room, it also ignited online debate, with many questioning whether the jab was merely in jest or reflected deeper tensions over his media coverage.
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What exactly did President Trump say?
Donald Trump’s latest remarks came during a White House press interaction on Tuesday, where he launched into another sharp criticism of the media, as per a report by The Irish Star.
Speaking to reporters, he claimed the press has consistently given him negative coverage, saying, “I got 93% bad publicity, some people say 97%, but between 93 and 97.”
He then turned toward Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and added, “A person who gets 97% of bad… maybe Karoline’s doing a poor job, I don’t know.”
Addressing her directly, Trump said, “You’re doing a terrible job.” Shall we keep her? I think we’ll keep her.”
The comment immediately became the most talked-about moment from the briefing. Although the room reportedly responded with light laughter, Trump quickly continued his criticism of the press, insisting the coverage was “all fake.”
He said, “But I get 93-97% bad press, fake press, all fake. I won in a landslide. When you get 93-97 bad stories, bad press, and you win in a landslide, you know what that says? People don’t believe the press.”
The remark follows Trump’s long-standing criticism of major media outlets, a theme that has remained central to his public messaging, as per a report by The Irish Star.
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Why is Donald Trump angry with the press?
Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that mainstream media organizations unfairly portray him and his administration. During the briefing, he once again described the coverage as biased and dishonest, framing his election win as proof that voters do not trust the press.
The comment about Leavitt appeared to be delivered in a joking tone, and reporting from the White House indicated that it was not meant as a serious rebuke. Leavitt, who has served as White House Press Secretary since January 2025, is the youngest person ever to hold the role.
At 28, she has become one of the most visible faces of Trump’s second administration, having previously worked on his campaign and in earlier White House communications roles, as per a report by The Irish Star.
How did people react online?
The exchange quickly spread across social media, where reactions were sharply divided. Some users viewed the moment as a lighthearted joke, while others saw it as another example of Trump shifting blame.
One reaction pointed to the broader political climate, suggesting that the negative coverage may be linked to policy concerns rather than communications strategy. Others speculated about Leavitt’s long-term future in the role, though no official indication has been given that her position is at risk.
The moment has once again put Trump’s contentious relationship with the media — and his press team — back in the spotlight.
FAQs
Did Trump seriously criticize Karoline Leavitt?
The remark appeared to be made jokingly during the briefing.
What was Donald Trump upset about?
He was complaining about what he called overwhelmingly negative media coverage.