President Donald Trump sparked widespread criticism during a Friday interview with Newsmax when he offered unusually personal praise for White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, commenting specifically on her physical appearance in terms that many observers found inappropriate for a professional setting.
During the interview with host Rob Finnerty, Trump described Leavitt as having become a star in her role. Trump stated: “It’s that face. It’s that brain. It’s those lips, the way they move.” He compared her speaking style to that of a machine gun and declared that no one has ever had a better press secretary.
The 27-year-old Leavitt made history earlier this year as the youngest White House press secretary ever appointed. She previously worked as a presidential speechwriter and assistant press secretary during Trump’s first administration, starting as a White House intern and correspondence office staffer in 2019.
The remarks came in response to Leavitt’s own effusive praise of Trump during a Thursday White House press briefing. She claimed the President had brokered approximately one peace deal or ceasefire per month during his six months back in office and declared it was well past time for Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Social media users reacted strongly to Trump’s comments, with many describing them as creepy, uncomfortable, and inappropriate. Critics questioned whether the remarks constituted workplace sexual harassment, noting that similar comments from any other employer about a staff member would likely result in immediate termination and potential legal action.
Several commentators drew connections between Trump’s language and his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier who was convicted of sex trafficking charges. Users suggested the remarks reflected a pattern of Trump focusing on women’s physical appearance rather than their professional qualifications or accomplishments.
Leavitt, a native of New Hampshire, was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family. She graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 2015 and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and politics from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire in 2019. During her college years, she founded the institution’s first broadcasting club and interned at Fox News during the 2016 presidential election.
Before joining the White House staff, Leavitt was a congressional candidate for New Hampshire’s first district in 2022. She has been a consistent supporter of Trump’s policy agenda and communication strategy throughout her career. In January 2025, shortly before Trump’s inauguration, she married 59-year-old real estate developer Nicholas Riccio.
The Friday interview covered multiple topics beyond Leavitt’s performance, including discussions about potential pardons and Trump’s views on various political figures. However, his specific comments about his press secretary’s physical attributes dominated social media discussion and news coverage following the broadcast.
Critics noted a potential double standard in political discourse, questioning why traditional media outlets had not pressed Trump more aggressively about the appropriateness of his remarks. Some observers suggested that similar comments from other political figures would have generated more sustained criticism and calls for accountability.
Supporters of both Trump and Leavitt defended the President’s high regard for his press secretary, emphasizing her youth, intelligence, and skilled handling of what they described as a challenging role. They characterized the praise as reflecting Trump’s appreciation for effective staff performance rather than anything inappropriate.
The controversy highlighted ongoing debates about professional boundaries in political settings and appropriate language for describing staff members’ performance. Leavitt, who serves as Trump’s fifth press secretary overall and the first of his second term, has not publicly responded to the controversy surrounding Trump’s comments.
The incident occurred amid broader discussions about Trump’s communication style and his administration’s approach to media relations. Leavitt has established herself as a fierce defender of Trump’s presidency and has consistently praised his international diplomatic efforts during press briefings.
