Karoline Leavitt blasts Kaitlan Collins for accusing Trump of sending 'mixed signals' on economy

WASHINGTON, DC: White​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins had a heated exchange publicly this week, showing that there are huge differences about the way the news media talks about President Donald Trump's economic record.

The Thursday, December 11, confrontation drew widespread attention as both sides challenged each other’s framing of economic data and media bias.

Kaitlan Collins questions Trump’s mixed economic messaging

“If the economy is as strong as the president has said it is, then why is he telling parents two weeks before Christmas that they should only buy two or three dolls for their children?” Collins asked during a White House press briefing.

This came in response to Trump’s remarks at a rally recently in Pennsylvania, where he told the crowd, "You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice. You don’t need 37 dolls, so, uh, we’re doing things right." 

Collins questioned how affordability could be on the rise if everyday costs remain high.

Leavitt, defending the administration’s record, emphasized that inflation has eased and real wages have improved, and reiterated claims that economic conditions are better than under the Joe Biden administration.

Trump intended to convey that he “wants products made right here in America,” pushing his tariffs and claiming the US will have higher-quality items, she claimed. “Maybe you’ll pay $1 or two more, but you will get better quality, and you’ll be supporting your fellow Americans by buying American,” Leavitt added.

Karoline Leavitt says Trump is 'digging our country out of the economic hole' 

“Again, with respect to affordability, every economic metric; Kaitlan, I wish you would report more on it; does, in fact, show that the economy is getting better and brighter than where it was under the previous administration,” Leavitt claimed, citing slowing inflation and lower gas prices and adding, “The best is yet to come.”

Leavitt’s defense of Trump’s economic messaging comes at a moment of heightened public scrutiny over inflation and household costs, issues that remain salient with voters.

“The president is digging our country out of the economic hole that the previous administration put us in, and that’s what he’s talking about,” Leavitt said. Collins pointed out that mixed economic figures — like grocery prices and general affordability issues — make it difficult to say that everything is fine just with a glance.

She disagreed with Leavitt and argued that food prices have increased, and Americans remain worried about the economy. “There are mixed signals,” she said.

The press secretary responded to this with a straight defense.

“My predecessor stood up at this podium, and she said inflation doesn’t exist. She said the border was secure, and people like you just took her at her word, and those were two utter lies,” Leavitt told Collins. “Everything I’m telling you is the truth backed by real, factual data, and you just don’t want to report on it, because you want to push untrue narratives.”