Karoline Leavitt's warning to aides wanting to work with Trump resurfaces: 'Your boss is not your friend'
WASHINGTON, DC: Before Karoline Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary at age 27, she was already coaching future political aides on how to survive high-pressure executive branch jobs, according to a newly resurfaced Heritage Foundation training video.
The undated clip, part of Project 2025’s preparation series for potential Trump administration appointees, features Leavitt warning newcomers that bosses aren’t friends, preparation is everything, and gratitude for the role is essential.
Watch the video from 18:07 to hear what Leavitt said about newcomers being friends with their bosses.
Karoline Leavitt’s blunt lessons for future aides
In an interview with the conservative Leadership Institute’s Chris Hayes, Leavitt cautioned against confusing professional relationships with personal ones.
“First of all, your boss is not your friend,” she said. “You are not your boss’ top priority.” She also urged staffers to solve problems independently: “Don’t pester your boss with things that are unnecessary to bring to their attention.”
Leavitt described her own early White House experience under press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, recalling marathon briefing sessions often upended by breaking news or President Trump’s statements.
“Rather than get stressed out, cry, or have a negative emotional response, you have to pull yourself up from your bootstraps… If you fail to prepare for those moments, prepare to fail,” she warned.
The video, originally published by ProPublica in August 2024, resurfaced this week after being flagged by The Daily Beast.
Leavitt said some of her most intense moments came from knowing “the White House press corps was out there going to berate my boss on something we had not covered throughout the day.”
She credited discipline and preparation for handling those situations, urging aides to stay ready to “execute in that moment” and fully support their teams.
Karoline Leavitt urges humility, respect
The future press secretary, whom Trump has called a “star,” reminded aspiring appointees to respect colleagues and maintain strong workplace relationships.
“You remember the colleagues that helped you fondly, and you remember the colleagues that weren’t so helpful not so fondly,” she said. “Your colleague today could be your boss tomorrow.”
Leavitt also stressed humility and gratitude: “It is really an honor to work for our federal government… Don’t forget that your salary comes from the good, hard-working taxpayers across the country. Don’t ever take a day for granted and continue to move up the ladder.”
She closed by urging staffers to appreciate the temporary nature of political roles: “Remember everyone you meet in the workplace will help you get to another place someday… No administration does [last forever]. Of course, this is a democracy. So enjoy it while you have it.”
The training video was created before Leavitt joined Trump’s presidential campaign in January 2024 and after her unsuccessful congressional bid.
Project 2025, spearheaded by The Heritage Foundation, was a major talking point during the 2024 election, designed to streamline staffing and policy preparation for a second Trump administration.
