White House Press Secretary Criticizes Media and Defends Trump’s Tariff Policy

Karoline Leavitt accuses the press of prioritizing sensationalism over substantive reporting following a heated exchange with an AP reporter.

Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, criticized the media for focusing on viral moments rather than substantive questions during press briefings.
Leavitt defended President Trump’s tariff policy, claiming it is a key part of his long-term economic strategy to generate revenue and enable tax cuts for Americans.
The criticism followed a contentious exchange with AP reporter Josh Boak, who questioned the economic impact of tariffs, suggesting they function as tax hikes on importers rather than foreign companies.
Leavitt described the reporter’s questioning as insulting and accused him of misunderstanding the administration's economic goals.
She also emphasized the administration’s commitment to welcoming diverse media voices while accusing some judges of acting as activists against Trump’s policies.