Karoline Leavitt says reporters privately apologize after asking what their bosses wanted

WASHINGTON, DC: Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has claimed that some reporters have privately apologized to her after asking questions they believed were “unfair.” She said the journalists told her their bosses wanted them to raise those questions during White House briefings.

Leavitt made the comments while speaking with Sean Hannity on ‘Hang Out with Sean Hannity.’ She described the briefing room as having a “performative aspect” and said pressure from editors and executives can shape what reporters ask.

Karoline Leavitt describes private conversations with reporters

Leavitt said reporters sometimes approached her after asking a question, and explained why they had asked it.

“There’s been times reporters have even said to me, ‘I’m sorry, I had to ask that today. You know, my bosses really wanted me to ask that,’” she said.

Leavitt claimed those reporters knew the questions were unfair but were not fully in control of what they were expected to ask.

“They’re not in control of their own livelihood,” she said, adding that journalists are “dictated by the editors and the execs at some of these companies.”

She also said there is a performative element on both sides of the briefing room, while arguing that the pressure is particularly visible among members of the press.

Karoline Leavitt calls for fairness and accuracy

Leavitt went on to discuss what she believes journalists should focus on when covering the White House.

“We’re not asking for like positive puff pieces every day,” she said. Instead, she called for “fairness, truth, accuracy” and reporting based on factual information.

Using executive orders as an example, Leavitt said journalists should not hesitate over whether such actions should be covered.

“Writing about an Executive Order that the President of the United States signed should not be a questionable thing,” she said.

Leavitt also pointed to what she described as “big changes” at CBS, saying she believed there had been “a lot of improvement with them.”

Donald Trump announces Karoline Leavitt’s next role

The comments come after President Donald Trump announced that Leavitt would leave her position as White House press secretary at the end of August.

Trump said the decision would allow Leavitt to spend more time with her young children and family.

He also said she would become one of his top outside advisers and remain an influential voice within the Republican Party as the administration works toward the midterm elections.

Trump praised Leavitt’s time in the White House and said she had been a leader since 2018, including during his 2024 reelection campaign.

He described her as “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office” and thanked her for her work.