White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently addressed criticism regarding her age and her performance during a contentious press conference. At just 27 years old, Leavitt, appointed by former President Donald Trump, shared a video on social media to push back against claims that she is “too young” for the role.
In the video, Leavitt recounted a conversation with Trump, who reassured her, saying, “You’re not [too young]. When I was 21, I was building buildings in Manhattan, and I believe you can have this job.” She framed his confidence in her as part of a broader vision for empowering America’s youth. “The president believes in the young people of this country, the future generations, and the next generation of leaders. He wants to leave the country better off for us and for our children and grandchildren,” she stated.
Leavitt’s remarks came in the wake of a challenging press briefing last Wednesday, which was the administration’s first response to a leak of sensitive U.S. plans targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen. The controversy intensified when it was reported that Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was allegedly included in a private Signal group chat with senior Trump security officials. During the 25-minute session, Leavitt spoke for less than 10 minutes before taking a few questions and ending the briefing abruptly.
As she concluded the press conference, Leavitt mentioned, “Speaking of the vice president, I hear he’s going to be speaking any moment now. I would hate to counter-program the vice president of the United States… You’ll also hear from the president at 3 p.m. honoring women’s history, and then again at 4 p.m. when he talks about tariffs,” before exiting the stage.
Reactions on social media were swift, with users criticizing her for leaving the stage prematurely. One user remarked, “Karoline Leavitt got scared and just ran off the stage after getting grilled by reporters about the Signal chat,” while another noted, “Karoline Leavitt practically ran out of that press conference after getting hammered by reporters.”
Despite the backlash, Leavitt attempted to pivot during the briefing by highlighting Trump’s achievements, including his leadership in reviving U.S. manufacturing and attracting foreign investment. She also emphasized initiatives honoring veterans and Women’s History Month, accusing the media of focusing too much on the leak rather than on national progress.
As Leavitt continues to navigate the mounting pressure surrounding the Signal controversy and questions about her readiness for the role, her tenure as press secretary remains a focal point in shaping the administration’s public messaging.