White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt found herself under fire Wednesday after making a widely disputed claim about President Donald Trump’s reception on the world stage during an interview on Fox News.
Leavitt appeared on America Reports with host John Roberts to discuss Trump’s address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. During the segment, Leavitt claimed the president received “rave reviews” for his speech, despite widespread criticism of his remarks.
Trump’s Davos appearance included rebukes of European allies and a series of false or misleading statements about his accomplishments both abroad and at home. The New York Times later fact-checked the address, identifying at least a dozen inaccuracies or distortions.
The pushback to Leavitt’s characterization was swift and blunt. Rick Wilson, a co-founder of The Lincoln Project, mocked the claim on X, writing: “No, Karoline…the reviews said he was raving. There’s a difference.”
Former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter also weighed in, accusing the press secretary of blatant dishonesty and suggesting the administration relies on relentless optimism even when the facts point elsewhere. Communications strategist Greg Canty echoed the sentiment, saying there were simply too many witnesses for the spin to hold.
