Donald Trump has long built his public image on speaking candidly, often saying exactly what’s on his mind regardless of the setting. During a Tuesday press briefing inside the Oval Office, while addressing what he sees as persistent negative coverage from the media, Trump unexpectedly turned his attention toward someone within his own team — his White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt — and jokingly criticized her performance.
Leavitt has spent years standing at the front lines in the White House Press Room, fielding questions and defending the administration’s actions in front of a demanding and often skeptical press corps. Her role has consistently placed her in the spotlight, acting as a bridge between the president and the media. But during this particular exchange, Trump appeared momentarily dissatisfied — though his tone suggested he wasn’t entirely serious.
While speaking with reporters, Trump once again raised his long-standing concerns about how he is portrayed in the press. He claimed that the overwhelming majority of coverage about him is negative, stating, “I got 93 percent bad publicity.” He went on to say that some observers believe the number is even higher, adding, “Some people say 97, but between 93 and 97.”
It was at that point that Trump shifted his attention to Leavitt, using the moment to inject humor into the conversation. With a grin, he remarked, “A person that gets 97 percent — maybe Karoline’s doing a poor job, I don’t know,” before following up with a blunt but clearly playful jab: “You’re doing a terrible job.”
Despite the sharp wording, the comment was widely interpreted as lighthearted rather than a serious reprimand. Trump quickly softened his stance, signaling that there was no real tension behind the remark. Turning back to the room, he added, “Should we keep her? I think we’ll keep her,” reinforcing the idea that his criticism was more teasing than genuine dissatisfaction.
The moment highlighted Trump’s familiar style of mixing humor with critique, especially when addressing issues he feels strongly about — in this case, media coverage. He continued by reiterating his belief that the press treats him unfairly, accusing news organizations of consistently targeting him. “All they do is hit Trump,” he said, echoing a complaint he has voiced repeatedly over the years.
Taking the argument further, Trump claimed that major media outlets operate with political bias, stating that broadcasters are effectively “an arm of the Democratic Party.” This assertion reflects a broader narrative he has maintained throughout his political career, framing the media as adversarial and aligned against him.
He also touched on the regulatory aspect of broadcasting, suggesting that networks could face consequences for what he considers unfair reporting. “They’re licensed. They’re not allowed to do that,” Trump said, before adding, “I would think maybe their licenses should be taken away.” The comment underscored his frustration, though such proposals would raise significant legal and constitutional questions in practice.
This exchange serves as another example of Trump’s ongoing and often combative relationship with the press — a dynamic that has been a defining feature of his public life since his first presidential campaign in 2016. His frequent use of terms like “fake” to describe media coverage has only deepened the divide between his administration and many news organizations.
At the same time, moments like his interaction with Leavitt reveal a different side of his communication style — one that blends criticism with humor, often blurring the line between serious commentary and off-the-cuff remarks. In this case, what could have been interpreted as harsh criticism instead came across as a brief, somewhat playful exchange within a broader conversation about media bias.
Ultimately, the incident reflects both Trump’s enduring frustration with the press and his tendency to express it in unpredictable ways, sometimes turning even routine briefings into moments that capture public attention.
