Donald Trump says Karoline Leavitt doing 'terrible job' as he rages at 'fake news'

President Trump singled out his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, during a White House press briefing on Tuesday, complaining that he receives “97%” negative press coverage.

While addressing reporters on Tuesday, Trump launched into a tirade about all the “bad press” he receives, branding all of it “fake”. His focus then briefly shifted to Leavitt, who was present in the room, where he appeared to apportion blame to her.

“I got 93% bad publicity, some people say 97%, but between 93 and 97. “A person who gets 97% of bad… maybe Karoline’s doing a poor job, I don’t know,” the president said, then addressing Karoline directly, saying, “You’re doing a terrible job.” Shall we keep her? I think we’ll keep her.”

He then proceeded to lambast the media, adding, “But I get 93-97% bad press, fake press, all fake. I won in a landslide. When you get 93-97 bad stories, bad press, and you win in a landslide, you know what that says? People don’t believe the press.”

Some online users expressed astonishment that the president didn’t appear to grasp why he might be receiving negative press at this juncture.

“Trump gets 93% bad publicity – and blames Karoline Leavitt. Not the Iran escalation. Not rising gas prices. Not global instability. Always someone else,” one person responded.

Another commented, “It’s because you have bad policies that affect voters and you’re more interested in building your stupid Ballroom vanity Project than lowering gas prices, food prices, and providing Health Care.” People also pointed out that Leavitt could be at risk of losing her position, as one user commented, “He will eventually turn on her, just like all the others. A narcissist has no loyalty to anyone at all. The only loyalty is to narcissistic supply.”

While the president appeared to be, at least partially, jesting when he said Leavitt was doing a terrible job, his issue with what he frequently labels as the “fake news media” is well-known.

Leavitt has served as the White House Press Secretary since Trump commenced his second term in January 2025, after working as Trump’s campaign secretary from 2024. At the age of 28, she is the youngest individual ever to hold the post, and she embarked on her MAGA journey at 19, penning pro-Trump opinion pieces for her student newspaper.

The New Hampshire Republican later completed internships at Fox News and then at the White House before joining Trump’s press team in 2019.