White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a sharp rebuke to Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas during a Thursday briefing, after the congresswoman characterized President Donald Trump supporters as mentally ill during a recent interview.
Speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room on June 19, 2025, Leavitt condemned Crockett’s comments as derogatory toward millions of Americans. The press secretary indicated it was incredibly offensive to accuse nearly 80 million Americans of mental illness.
Leavitt emphasized that Crockett could not dream of winning such a majority of the public as Trump achieved in the recent election. She characterized the America First movement as comprising hardworking patriots, including forgotten men and women, business owners, law enforcement officers, nurses, teachers, and residents of Middle America.
The White House spokesperson suggested that Crockett should attend a Trump rally to witness the movement firsthand. Leavitt also remarked that she hoped the Texas representative would continue to be a rising star in the Democratic Party, particularly for the benefit of the Republican Party.
The confrontation stemmed from Crockett’s recent interview with Katie Couric, where the Democratic congresswoman attributed Trump’s reelection to a national mental health crisis. Crockett had expressed that everyone, regardless of political affiliation, should oppose Trump, describing her position as non-partisan.
During the Couric interview, Crockett claimed that former Vice President Kamala Harris was more qualified for the presidency than Trump, suggesting he was elected simply because he is an older white man. The congresswoman also expressed concern for military service members serving under Trump, arguing that what they had signed up to fight against was now their commander-in-chief.
Crockett concluded her criticism by stating that the situation was disturbing and that anyone supporting it was also unwell. She also defended former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity during the same interview, claiming she never observed anything that would raise questions about his mental sharpness and arguing that his mental capabilities were superior to Trump’s.
This exchange represents the latest instance of Leavitt defending the administration against Democratic criticism. The 27-year-old press secretary has frequently engaged in heated exchanges with reporters and opposition figures since assuming her role as the youngest person ever to serve as White House Press Secretary.
Leavitt’s confrontational style has drawn attention throughout her tenure, including previous incidents where she criticized reporters’ questions as inappropriate. In one recent briefing regarding peaceful protests, she dismissed a journalist’s inquiry about Trump’s protest policies, calling it a stupid question when asked about the president’s stance on peaceful demonstrations during a military parade.
The press secretary has also engaged in disputes with international media outlets, including accusations against the BBC regarding their coverage of events in Gaza. During a recent briefing, she accused the British broadcaster of publishing misleading information about casualty figures and editing headlines without proper verification.
Beyond her professional duties, Leavitt has faced public scrutiny regarding her personal life and appearance. Recent social media commentary has focused on her physical appearance, with some observers suggesting the demanding nature of her role has taken a visible toll. Critics have noted that the stress of her position appears to have affected her appearance over her months in office.
The press secretary recently celebrated Father’s Day by posting tribute messages to her husband Nicholas Riccio, who is more than three decades her senior. The couple married in January 2025, just days before Trump’s inauguration, and share a young son together. Leavitt has previously addressed questions about their significant age difference, describing their relationship as an atypical love story.
Leavitt’s confrontation with Crockett highlights the ongoing tensions between the White House and Democratic opposition figures. The exchange also demonstrates the administration’s strategy of aggressively responding to criticism from Democratic lawmakers and defending Trump’s political base.
The incident occurs amid broader political tensions as the administration continues to face scrutiny from Democratic members of Congress. Crockett, who has emerged as a prominent voice in the Democratic resistance movement, represents a new generation of lawmakers willing to directly challenge the current administration’s policies and leadership.
As the political climate remains highly polarized, exchanges like this between administration officials and opposition lawmakers are likely to continue. The confrontation underscores the deep divisions in American politics and the ongoing battle for public opinion between the two major political parties.
