Karoline Leavitt’s job struggles and performance hint at a possible split from Trump team
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s history of turbulent relationships with his closest aides continues, with current White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly facing challenges in her role.
Known for demanding loyalty and perfection, Trump’s pattern of fractured friendships and staff departures seems to be repeating itself as Leavitt struggles with job performance and public interactions.
As Trump’s former aides and allies have learned, staying in his inner circle requires navigating a high-pressure environment where praise can quickly turn to criticism.
Karoline Leavitt’s job performance under scrutiny
Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history, started her tenure confidently. She famously declared on 'Fox & Friends,' “I might bring some notes with me, but my binder is in my brain because I know President Trump's policies, and we have truth on our side at this White House.
However, recent incidents have cast doubt on her preparedness. On June 3, 2025, during a press briefing, Leavitt stumbled while trying to respond to a question about the South Korean election. “Yes, we do, in fact. Let me find it here for you,” she said, flipping through her binder before admitting, “Hmm. We do not. But I will get you one,” followed by an awkward laugh.
The incident became fodder for critics and media alike, marking a rare public misstep for Leavitt.
Rising frustrations and public confrontations
Karoline Leavitt’s patience appears to be wearing thin. She recently engaged in a tense exchange with journalist Andrew Feinberg while defending agents investigating the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua.
“You are questioning the credibility of these agents who are putting their life on the line to protect your life and the life of everybody in this group?” she said, adding, “Shame on you and shame on the mainstream media for trying to cover for these individuals.”
In another notable moment, Leavitt abruptly left a press briefing after clashing with reporter Jasmine Wright, dismissing a question about peaceful protests as, “What a stupid question.” Social media users reacted strongly, labeling her conduct “abusive and unprofessional.”
Trump’s troubled history with press secretaries
Karoline Leavitt isn’t the first to face such pressures under Donald Trump’s leadership. The president has a history of fractious relationships with his press secretaries, having had five before Leavitt.
In 2023, Trump publicly criticized former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, calling her “Kayleigh ‘Milktoast’ McEnany” and accusing her of misreporting poll numbers on Fox News. Stephanie Grisham, another former press secretary, warned of Trump’s pattern: “He. will. turn. on. you. There is only loyalty to him, not the country, the constitution, his constituents, or anything/anyone else."
Leavitt’s connection to McEnany, under whom she once interned, offered initial hope. McEnany praised her as “sharp, professional, and enterprising,” saying she wanted to hire Leavitt immediately.
Whether Leavitt can maintain Trump’s favor amid the White House’s demanding atmosphere remains to be seen.
As Trump’s administration moves forward, the recurring pattern of high expectations, public scrutiny, and fractured loyalties continues to shape the dynamics behind the scenes.
