Categories: Donald Trump

MAGA star Karoline Leavitt shines in first press briefing

Ramping up the pressure, the most important member of her live nationwide audience - the president himself (pictured here with Leavitt on Air Force One) - was watching closely on TV.

Karoline Leavitt made a strong impression in her first appearance as White House press secretary, delivering a poised and polished performance that signaled a shift in the administration’s media approach.

At just 27, she became the youngest person to hold the role, stepping into the crowded briefing room with a confident smile as reporters packed in to witness her debut.

Leavitt wasted no time in making her presence known, immediately taking aim at the “legacy media” and announcing that social media influencers and alternative news outlets would now have a seat in the front row. She also stated that more than 400 journalists who had lost their White House credentials under the Biden administration would be reinstated.

“We believe in fair access to information,” she declared, reinforcing President Trump’s push to reshape the media landscape.

Confidently tackling tough questions

Leavitt fielded a range of tough questions, from immigration enforcement to federal budget cuts. She confidently defended Trump’s executive actions, including a freeze on federal DEI funding and a crackdown on illegal immigration. When questioned about the Justice Department firings, she firmly stated that Trump has “the legal authority to fire anyone he wants.”

She also took direct shots at the previous administration, blaming President Biden for inflation and even attributing rising egg prices to his handling of the avian flu crisis.

A new era in White House communications

Leavitt’s debut was a clear signal of the administration’s aggressive media strategy. Unlike some of her predecessors who struggled in the role, she appeared composed, articulate, and ready to push Trump’s agenda without hesitation.

By the end of the briefing, even some skeptical reporters acknowledged that she had delivered a strong first performance. President Trump, watching from the West Wing, was reportedly pleased, reinforcing the notion that Leavitt will be a major player in shaping the administration’s message moving forward.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.