Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary and the face of the Trump administration's antagonistic relationship with the media, is stepping down at the end of August.
"Her job that she has performed as White House press secretary, the word 'exemplary' doesn't even begin to cover it," Stephen Miller, a top aide to Donald Trump, told Fox News on Wednesday, Aug. 12, not long after the announcement.
Agreed on that front. Other words come more quickly to mind, like "controversial," "combative" and, when the circumstances demanded it, "delusional." And like her boss, she clearly reveled in the arguments.
Or, as Rep. James Walkinshaw said on a CNN panel, "It’s a tough job. It’s a job where, to be Donald Trump’s spokesman, you have to willfully deny
reality on a daily basis. And she’s done that repeatedly. ... She’s said lie after lie after lie in front of the American people. And I think her legacy will be one of further degrading the relationship between the White House and the press."
Karoline Leavitt was Trump's biggest defender
Not that the relationship needed any help in that regard. Trump famously attacks the media while craving its attention. In her media briefings and press appearances, Leavitt had a seemingly innate understanding of exactly how Trump liked to play journalists, and how far to push his narratives. When Jasmine Wright, a White House correspondent for NOTUS, said on CNN, "It's a huge loss for the White House and President Trump," she wasn't wrong. It will be difficult for Trump to find a replacement who so perfectly aligns with his view, however dim, of reporters and their role in society.
Depending on who replaces her, however, it could be a small victory for independent journalism.
Trump announced her departure on Truth Social. Leavitt recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her second child. In the post, Trump said Leavitt will "spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!"
"This is the one time in politics when I truly believe someone when they say I want to spend more time with my family," Mike Dubke, the former White House communications director under Trump, said.
From her first day on the job, Leavitt was boastful, combative and defensive, setting the tone for Trump's second administration. She never let up. Remember when Trump called Greenland "Iceland" ― four times? And Leavitt responded, "No, he didn't?"
Ah, good times. It may not seem like something worth even bringing up, yet it is, in its way, the perfect representation of what, as Walkinshaw noted, the job demands. And if you are willing to lie about the small things, then it's not a surprise when you lie about the big things, too, even in the face of incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.
Leavitt brought in more Trump friendly 'reporters' to briefings
When she took on the role, Leavitt began inviting more Trump friendly "reporters" to briefings. It wasn't about inclusion as much as it was lobbing softballs to make the administration look good. This led to situations like Cara Castronuova, a reporter from Lindell-TV ― yes, it's owned by Mike Lindell, the My Pillow guy ― asking Leavitt, "Will you guys also consider releasing the president’s fitness plan? He actually looks healthier than ever before. Healthier than he looked eight years ago, and I’m sure everyone in this room can agree."
Leavitt is not, of course, the first White House press secretary to spar with the media. Ron Ziegler infamously battled reporters who were closing in on his boss, Richard Nixon, during the Watergate scandal. White House press secretaries have defended Bill Clinton, both George Bushes, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. It's part of the job. But few, if any (though Ziegler probably comes the closest when Nixon's presidency was circling the drain), have used the job not just to defend their boss but to attack the press as vigorously as Leavitt has.
Who's next? We'll find out, but Leavitt is leaving some big shoes to fill. More's the pity.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Media commentary with a side of snark? Sign up for The Watchlist newsletter with Bill Goodykoontz.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Leavitt was perfect for Trump in the worst ways. 'Huge loss' | Opinion
