Trump Names Karoline Leavitt as Youngest Press Secretary
US Pres.-elect Donald Trump on Friday appointed Karoline Leavitt to serve as White House press secretary in his upcoming administration....
Facts
- US Pres.-elect Donald Trump on Friday appointed Karoline Leavitt to serve as White House press secretary in his upcoming administration.[1][2]
- At age 27, Leavitt will become the youngest White House press secretary in American history, surpassing Ron Ziegler, who served under former Pres. Nixon at age 29.[3][4]
- Leavitt previously worked as an assistant press secretary during Trump's first term and most recently served as his 2024 campaign's national press secretary and transition team spokesperson.[1][2]
- In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, winning the Republican primary but losing to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas in the general election.[4][5]
- Trump praised Leavitt as 'smart, tough, and... a highly effective communicator,' expressing confidence in her ability to deliver the administration's message to the American people.[2][6]
- The appointment follows Trump's selection of other key communications staff, including Steven Cheung as White House communications director and Sergio Gor as director of the Presidential Personnel Office.[1]
Sources: [1]New York Post, [2]NBC, [3]USA Today, [4]Associated Press, [5]FOX News and [6]New York Times.
Narratives
- Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. Leavitt has proven herself to be a loyal and effective defender of Trump's agenda. She consistently challenges mainstream media narratives and demonstrates strong communication skills during television appearances. She may be young, but her stints at the White House have equipped her with the first glimpse into the world of the press.
- Democratic narrative, as provided by New York Times. The appointment raises concerns about the continuation of Trump's combative relationship with the press, as Leavitt has repeatedly embraced Trump's criticism of media outlets as 'fake news' and defended his controversial rhetoric. Having someone with a history of denigrating legacy media as White House press secretary will present significant challenges.
