Trump jokes Karoline Leavitt is ‘doing a terrible job’ over negative media coverage
WASHINGTON, DC: During a press conference in the Oval Office, Donald Trump told White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that she was "doing a terrible job" of covering the news.
Trump spoke to reporters and discussed what he described as overwhelmingly negative press coverage. During the conversation, he made direct comments toward Leavitt while talking about how the media has covered his administration.
Trump jabs Karoline Leavitt over media coverage
The president made the jab at Leavitt during a press conference in the Oval Office, where he criticized the state of the media and how he has been portrayed.
Trump: I got 93% bad publicity. Maybe Karoline is doing a poor job. pic.twitter.com/HINANqxbs9
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 31, 2026
“We have to straighten out our media,” Trump said. “The New York Times circulation, you know, has gone way down. The Washington Post is almost extinct.”
After criticizing legacy outlets as “dishonest,” Trump said that “people don’t believe the media,” citing coverage of his 2024 presidential run, which suggested he was performing poorly before being re-elected, as evidence.
“I got 93% bad publicity,” he noted. “Some people say 97, but between 93 and 97, maybe Karoline is doing a poor job, I don’t know.”
“She’s my representative,” he continued. “You’re doing a terrible job. Should we keep her? I think we’ll keep her.” The remark drew light laughter from those in the room, indicating the comment was received as a joke during the exchange.
Trump blasts media as press credibility questioned
Trump continued his criticism of the media, saying, “When you get 93 to 97 bad stories, bad press and you win in a landslide, do you know what that says? People don’t believe the press,” he added.
“And when people don’t believe the press, that’s a very bad thing for our country."
Trump then took aim at The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, which he said had “a lot of bad stories.” Watch Trump’s remarks below.
Trump issued his criticism of Leavitt shortly after her comments regarding media coverage of the Sheridan Gorman case by ABC, CBS, and NBC.
At her briefing for reporters on March 30, the White House press secretary addressed the Sheridan Gorman case, calling the lack of media attention on an 18-year-old college student who was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant in Chicago "despicable."
The exchange in the Oval Office reflects ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major media organizations, with criticism of press coverage continuing to be a recurring theme in public appearances and briefings.
Recently, Leavitt said that Trump will address the nation on the ongoing conflict with Iran on April 1.
“TUNE IN: Tomorrow night at 9PM ET, President Trump will give an Address to the Nation to provide an important update on Iran,” Leavitt said in a post on the social platform X.
