At just 27 years old, Karoline Leavitt stepped up to the White House podium for the first time as Press Secretary, making history as the youngest person ever to hold the role. Confident and composed, she made it clear that things were going to be different under the Trump administration’s second term.
Bringing Back Revoked Press Passes
One of Leavitt’s first major announcements was the reinstatement of over 400 press passes that had been revoked during President Biden’s term. She also made a point to include bloggers, podcasters, and social media influencers in White House briefings, stating, “The Trump White House will engage with all forms of media, not just the traditional outlets sitting in this room.”
Tackling Policy Questions Head-On
During the 46-minute briefing, Leavitt fielded questions on key issues:
Federal Aid and Medicaid Concerns: When asked about delays in federal grants affecting Medicaid, she admitted she didn’t have all the details but promised to follow up. Later, she confirmed a temporary issue with the Medicaid website but assured the public that no payments had been impacted.
Drone Sightings in New Jersey: Addressing concerns about recent drone activity, Leavitt relayed President Trump’s statement that the drones were operated legally for recreational use and that there was no security threat. “This was not the enemy,” she emphasized.
A New Approach to Media Relations
Leavitt deviated from previous conventions by inviting reporters from Axios and Breitbart to emphasize inquiries from non-mainstream sources. In an indication of a more comprehensive approach to media engagement, she also urged independent journalists to apply for credentials via a recently constructed government website.
Whis Is Karoline Leavitt?
Before taking on this historic role, Leavitt worked as a press aide in Trump’s first term and ran for Congress in 2022. She later became the national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign, frequently appearing on cable news as a spokesperson.
Her debut briefing sent a strong message—she’s here to shake things up.
