White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is facing criticism over two separate incidents that critics say reveal a juvenile streak in administration communications.
During a Fox News interview addressing the White House’s response to the rise of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, Leavitt broadly characterized Democrats’ main constituency as being “made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.” These remarks drew immediate and sharp pushback. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the comments “unacceptable” and “dangerous,” while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said they erode trust and civility in public discourse.
Later in the week, during a White House press briefing, Leavitt was asked a question that prompted her to attempt humor. She responded with a “your mom” quip alongside National Security Council Senior Director Stephen Cheung. Media critics described the joke as “juvenile” and noted that it undermines the professionalism expected from a press secretary.
Observers note that these two incidents—the partisan accusations made on Fox News and the middle-school-style humor in the briefing room—have reinforced concerns about the tone of official White House communications. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow called Leavitt’s Fox comments “a deplorable moment,” emphasizing how senior officials’ words can quickly dominate headlines and social media.
Leavitt has not issued any further clarification, leaving critics and political opponents to question whether the White House is prioritizing viral soundbites over substantive messaging.
https://www.salon.com/2025/10/19/white-house-continues-to-sink-to-new-mean-girl-levels/
