Overview

• At a tense briefing, Karoline Leavitt accused outlets of falsely claiming President Trump “legitimized” Vladimir Putin and opened by denouncing negative coverage.
• Leavitt clashed with reporters, telling a New York Times journalist “only a reporter from The New York Times would ask a question like that” and cutting off Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich mid-question.
• She said Putin agreed to pursue a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a claim Moscow contradicted by saying only the idea of higher‑level talks was discussed and no bilateral was set.
• Leavitt argued European leaders flew to Washington within 48 hours because of summit progress, citing positive remarks from Zelenskyy and NATO’s Mark Rutte, while critics said the trip reflected concern rather than celebration.
• Trump said he declined to take a Putin call in front of European leaders out of respect for the Russian president; the White House also said preparations for a potential Trump–Putin–Zelenskyy meeting are under way without a finalized agreement.