White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, may be fielding some uncomfortable questions after President Donald Trump, 79, made a rather unusual comment about her in a recent interview. During his conversation with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty on Friday night, Trump offered a description of Leavitt that could spark controversy.
“It’s that face. It’s that brain. It’s those lips, the way they move. They move like she’s a machine gun,” Trump said, as he praised her performance in her role. The comment, which focused on Karoline Leavitt’s physical appearance as well as her intellect, could draw scrutiny given the sensitive nature of such remarks about women in public office.
Trump went on to express his admiration for Leavitt’s work, noting that she has “become a star” in her current position. “She’s great. She’s a great person, actually,” he added. “I don’t think anybody has ever had a better press secretary than Karoline. She’s been amazing.”
Leavitt, who began working for Trump as his national press secretary in January 2024, was appointed to her current role as White House Press Secretary in 2024, making her the youngest person to hold this position in U.S. history. She is known for her strong defense of Trump’s policies and her firm stance on issues such as the naming of the “Gulf of America.”
Leavitt has also been vocal in advocating for Trump’s recognition, recently claiming that it is “well past time” for him to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in international diplomacy. In addition to her high-profile career, Leavitt married real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, 59, in January, just days before Trump’s second inauguration.
In the same interview, Trump also discussed a range of other topics, including the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle jeans ad. When asked about the backlash over a recent Bud Light ad featuring Dylan Mulvaney, a trans actress, Trump did not hold back. “I think the Dylan Mulvaney ad was perhaps the most unsuccessful ad in history,” he remarked, referencing the backlash from conservatives.