In a fiery exchange with reporters, Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, recently dismissed a key question about the TikTok ban, leading to widespread speculation about her handling of tough issues. What did she say that caused even more confusion, and why are tensions between Leavitt and the press continuing to escalate? Find out the full story behind the drama below! 👇👇

Karoline Leavitt Brushes Off TikTok Ban Question After Combative Week with the Press

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has once again found herself at the center of controversy following a combative interaction with the press during a press conference Thursday. This latest confrontation came after a week marked by several tense exchanges between Leavitt and reporters, particularly regarding the Trump administration’s stance on a variety of issues, including the fate of the social media app TikTok and the escalating conflict in Iran and Israel.

The TikTok Ban Question

Leavitt was asked by Eli Lake, a columnist for the right-leaning The Free Press, about former President Donald Trump’s constitutional authority to delay the mandated ban or forced sale of TikTok, a move originally called for due to national security concerns. The app, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has long been at the center of U.S. concerns over data privacy and potential surveillance by the Chinese government.

However, Leavitt’s response to Lake’s question was notably dismissive. She said that the administration’s legal team found rationale for delaying the TikTok ban but avoided addressing the specific legal justification or how the president could legally defy a Supreme Court ruling, which upheld the ban. Instead, Leavitt framed the decision in political terms, explaining that Trump had “promised to keep TikTok on,” despite the fact that it was Trump himself who initially called for the app’s ban in 2020.

Leavitt’s explanation only added to the confusion surrounding the issue, as Trump’s stance on TikTok has shifted over the years. While he pushed for its ban in 2020, he reversed course during his 2024 campaign, even creating his own TikTok account and hosting TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Florida estate.

Tensions Continue with the Press

Leavitt’s interaction with Lake is part of a broader pattern of tension between the White House press secretary and reporters. Just last week, during another press briefing, Leavitt dismissed a reporter’s question as “stupid” after being asked about President Trump’s stance on peaceful protests. The question was asked in the context of an upcoming military parade in Washington D.C. set to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Trump’s 79th birthday. The reporter’s question focused on whether President Trump would allow peaceful protests during the parade, particularly in light of ongoing protests in Los Angeles regarding escalating ICE immigration raids.

Leavitt, seemingly irritated, responded, “Of course, the president supports peaceful protest,” before adding, “What a stupid question.” Her sharp retort sparked further controversy, especially given the context of Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric about the protests in Los Angeles, where he claimed the city was “on fire” and called for the deployment of federal troops.

The White House Under Scrutiny

These interactions between Leavitt and the press have not gone unnoticed, especially in a political climate where media relations are increasingly fraught. President Trump’s attacks on the media—accusing it of being corrupt and biased, particularly when coverage is unfavorable—have been well-documented. Leavitt’s combative responses to reporters further illustrate the adversarial relationship between the White House and the press, especially when questions touch on sensitive or controversial topics.

While Leavitt’s role as press secretary is to represent the administration’s stance, her responses have at times been seen as dismissive or dismissing valid concerns. The tension between the White House and the press corps has become a focal point in the current political climate, with both sides often at odds over the handling of key issues, including immigration, foreign policy, and social media regulation.

Conclusion: A Growing Divide

Karoline Leavitt’s latest exchange with the press, alongside her previous combative responses, reflects the growing divide between the White House and the media. The public’s reaction to her handling of the TikTok question, as well as her dismissal of press inquiries, underscores the contentious nature of modern politics and media relations.

As the administration continues to navigate issues like national security, protests, and media scrutiny, Leavitt’s approach to handling the press will remain a critical focal point. For now, it seems that the tension between the press and the White House will only continue to grow as difficult questions and contentious issues continue to arise.