Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt opened Monday’s briefing with a packed preview of President Trump’s week, blending policy, diplomacy, economics, and security. She said the President would announce an autism-focused initiative later in the afternoon with health advisers, framing it as part of a push for “full transparency” and “gold-standard science.” She declined to preview specifics, urging reporters to hear the announcement first.
Trump is headed to New York for the 80th U.N. General Assembly, where he plans a speech touting renewed U.S. strength and meetings with the U.N. Secretary-General and leaders from Ukraine, Argentina, and the European Union. A multilateral session is set with partners from the Middle East and Asia, followed by a reception with more than 100 leaders. Back in Washington, Trump will meet Turkey’s President Erdoğan on Thursday, then attend the Ryder Cup on Long Island Friday. Leavitt credited a recent executive order averting a regional rail strike with keeping the event on track.
On the economy, Leavitt cited falling mortgage rates, lower gas spending as a share of income, and record stock indexes. She said real wages have risen “nearly every month” since Trump took office and highlighted manufacturing investment commitments the administration says total almost $9 trillion. Reporters pressed for context and independent data; Leavitt stood by the administration’s figures.
Addressing political violence, Leavitt praised public unity after the assassination of commentator Charlie Kirk and criticized House Democrats who opposed a resolution condemning the killing. She said the President will designate Antifa a domestic terrorist organization by executive order “very soon” and indicated the administration is tracing funding for violent extremist groups. Asked what message the White House has for Americans worried about speaking openly, she quoted Trump’s call to “keep speaking up.”
The Q&A ranged widely. On autism, reporters noted prior research and potential confusion for pregnant women; Leavitt said mothers “want answers” and asked the press to listen to the full announcement. On Justice Department independence, she rejected claims of “weaponization,” arguing accountability for past abuses is consistent with Trump’s inaugural promise. She defended allies under scrutiny, including Tom Homan, saying investigators found no wrongdoing.
Leavitt outlined a pending TikTok restructuring: majority U.S. ownership, a security partnership with Oracle, U.S.-based data storage and algorithm retraining, and continued global interoperability. She projected large small-business benefits but declined to name investors or deal size in advance of a signing later this week.
Foreign-policy exchanges touched on Russia’s offer to extend a nuclear treaty (Trump will comment himself), U.S. disagreement with allies recognizing a Palestinian state, and a firm stance against Venezuela’s Maduro. At home, Leavitt urged Congress to pass a “clean” stopgap to avoid a shutdown, arguing Democrats supported similar funding levels earlier and warning a lapse would harm veterans, seniors, and security.
She closed by promising more details at the afternoon autism event and signaled additional actions on domestic extremism are forthcoming.
Source: The White House
