President Donald Trump’s Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has made it clear to corporate media reporters that the White House is under new management.
Under Trump, the days of hiding the president from the American people are over.
After four years of gaslighting and “circling back,” reporters are now realizing that White House press briefings have returned to a place for direct communication between the Trump administration and the American people.
As such, Leavitt has no time for corporate media propagandists fishing for attack material.
Following a sharp exchange with “Good Morning America” host Michael Strahan, Leavitt has now earned a new nickname from supporters.
During an interview on Wednesday, Strahan questioned Leavitt about President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring federal workers to return to their offices.
He raised concerns that experienced professionals, including doctors and scientists, might leave government positions rather than return to full-time office work.
“Is there any concern that we risk losing people with years of experience like doctors and, let’s say, scientists?” Strahan asked.
Leavitt immediately fired back without hesitation:
“Well, most doctors who work in actual hospitals and medical institutions have to show up in the office.”
WATCH:
Her response caught Strahan off guard, and the moment quickly gained traction online.
Social media users praised Leavitt’s handling of the exchange.
Many started dubbing her the “grim reaper” for mainstream media figures.
“Karoline Leavitt just took another soul on live TV,” one user wrote on X, sharing the video clip.
“She’s like the fake news’ grim reaper.”
Another user, JoeT, commented, “Stone-cold killer.
“Will reach legend status.”
Meanwhile, others shared memes of a cloaked figure with a scythe.
At 27 years old, Leavitt is the youngest press secretary in U.S. history.
She has quickly built a reputation for her assertive media presence.
Leavitt made her White House briefing room debut on Tuesday with a major announcement about media access.
“Whether you are a TikTok content creator, a blogger, a podcaster, if you are producing legitimate news content, no matter the medium, you will be allowed to apply for press credentials in this White House,” Leavitt stated.
WATCH:
🚨THE WHITE HOUSE: “We are encouraging anybody in this country: whether you are a TikTok content creator, a blogger, or a podcaster — if you are producing legitimate news content, no matter the medium, you will be allowed to apply for press credentials to this White House.” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FQm9mG7fee
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) January 28, 2025
Within hours, more than 7,400 applications were submitted for press credentials, marking a shift in the administration’s approach to media access.
Leavitt balances her demanding role with family life, living in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, and their son, Niko.
In July 2024, she gave birth and continued working through major moments in Trump’s campaign.
She returned to work just three days after President Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The president literally put his life on the line to win this election,” she said in an October interview with The Conservator.
“The least I could do is get back to work quickly.”
Trump’s campaign managers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, had initially offered her a position while she was pregnant.
“He doesn’t care if you’re a man or a woman, with kids or no kids,” Leavitt said about Trump’s leadership.
“He just wants the hardest worker and the best person for the job.
“And that’s what makes him a great boss.”
Leavitt also defended Trump’s executive order requiring federal workers to return to their offices, citing productivity concerns.
“We know that employees are more productive and more efficient when they are working in an in-office environment,” she said.
Trump’s order mandates that federal agencies implement plans to return employees to their offices, following years of remote work policies.
“Don’t forget it’s the American people that are funding this government, and they deserve people that are actually showing up to work on their behalf,” Leavitt said.
She noted that only six percent of federal workers in Washington D.C. are currently working full time in their offices, despite millions of taxpayer dollars being spent on office space.
“This government has been wasting millions of dollars on empty office space that is beautiful.
“I mean, look at the beautiful buildings in this city,” she said.
“They’re gorgeous, they’ve been here for decades.”
As part of the effort to reduce government inefficiency, Trump also announced a buyout option for federal employees.
Those who choose to resign by February 6 will receive full pay and benefits until September.
YOU pay the rent for federal buildings.
YOU pay the light bill for federal buildings.
YOU pay the heating bill for federal buildings.
YOU pay the insurance bill for federal buildings.
YOU pay the maintenance bill for federal buildings.Yet federal bureaucrats refuse to show-up… pic.twitter.com/RbPBtpib0w
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) January 30, 2025
Leavitt has made headlines before for her confrontational media appearances.
In June, she clashed with CNN anchor Kasie Hunt over the selection of debate moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
During the interview, Leavitt questioned their impartiality, prompting Hunt to cut her microphone and end the segment.
After the incident, one social media user observed that working in the White House requires a different approach than working on a campaign.
“It gets tougher when you need to be gracious to those who wish the worst for you. But she does it well,” wrote Jesse Bronx on X.
“We love Karoline Leavitt.”
As Leavitt continues in her role as press secretary, her firm handling of media interviews and vocal support for Trump’s policies are solidifying her status as a key figure in the administration.
