Is Karoline Leavitt Getting Fired After Kristi Noem? Donald Trump Blames Press Secretary For '97 Percent' Bad Media Coverage

President Donald Trump publicly rebuked his White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, on Tuesday, accusing her of failing to stem what he claimed was a torrent of '97 per cent' negative media coverage during a briefing in Washington. The 28‑year‑old Republican, the youngest ever to hold the role since Trump's inauguration last January, stood by as the president openly questioned whether to keep her in post.

Leavitt has been a staunch defender of Trump since joining his 2024 campaign press team, taking the job after stints at Fox News and as an assistant press secretary in his first administration. Her rise from a 19‑year‑old pro‑Trump op‑ed writer at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire to the briefing‑room podium has marked her out as a committed MAGA loyalist. Trump's off‑the‑cuff remarks, however, pointed to the precariousness of loyalty inside his orbit.

Trump's On‑Camera Remarks Put Leavitt Under Pressure

Trump's comments came midway through an extended attack on media coverage. 'I got 93 per cent bad publicity, some people say 97 per cent, but between 93 and 97,' he told reporters. 'A person who gets 97 per cent of bad... maybe Karoline's doing a poor job, I don't know.' Turning towards her, he added: 'You're doing a terrible job. Shall we keep her? I think we'll keep her.'

The president insisted the negative coverage was 'all fake' despite what he described as his landslide win. 'When you get 93 to 97 bad stories, bad press, and you win in a landslide, you know what that says? People don't believe the press,' he said.

His remarks prompted a wave of online criticism. One user wrote: 'Trump gets 93 per cent bad publicity and blames Karoline Leavitt. Not the Iran escalation. Not rising gas prices. Always someone else.' Another said: 'It's because you have bad policies... more interested in your stupid Ballroom vanity project than lowering gas prices.'

Speculation quickly followed that Leavitt could be at risk of dismissal. 'He will eventually turn on her, just like all the others. A narcissist has no loyalty,' one commenter claimed. The exchange came after Trump had already criticised her team for a 'shocking mistake' and amid renewed tabloid coverage accusing her of being an 'unfaithful dirtbag' over a perceived Fox News flip.

Some outlets also resurfaced stories about her pre‑MAGA image. Only weeks earlier, Trump had described her as 'the youngest and perhaps the best White House press secretary' who 'does a fantastic job'.

Karoline Leavitt's High‑Wire Role Under Fresh Scrutiny

Leavitt's tenure has been marked by high‑profile confrontations. She has fielded questions on race disputes, shutdown negotiations and the so‑called Potomac sewage fiasco, repeatedly arguing that Trump's Truth Social posts count as official policy.

She has also reshaped the briefing‑room dynamic by giving greater access to podcasters and newer outlets over some traditional correspondents, with the White House citing more than 12,000 credential requests. Supporters say the approach improves transparency; critics describe it as combative media management.

Advisers note that succeeding under Trump often requires withstanding shifting moods and the 93‑to‑97‑per‑cent coverage figures he frequently cites.

Leavitt's background reflects a rapid political ascent. Born in Atkinson, New Hampshire, she interned at Fox News before joining Trump's press operation in 2019. A failed 2022 congressional bid did not halt her rise. By 2024 she was serving as his campaign press lead, then moved into the White House briefing role on the first day of his second term.

As Trump now raises questions in public about whether she is up to the role, discussion has intensified over whether the former student journalist is out of her depth.

Recent exchanges over the president's health have further increased attention on the press office. Leavitt has not commented on Trump's remarks. In a West Wing where senior staff turnover has historically been high, observers note that a public 'keep her' can quickly give way to a change in personnel.