White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was called out and embarrassed by two podcasters this week for the way she constantly praises Donald Trump. The podcast, hosted by journalists Greg Sargent and Amanda Marcotte for The New Republic, pointed out how Leavitt often speaks about Trump in a way that seems overly loyal, even cultlike. They said she repeatedly describes him as calm, powerful, and always in control, even though his behavior on social media, especially on Truth Social, shows him ranting and reacting wildly to small issues.
Sargent and Marcotte explained that Leavitt’s exaggerated praise feeds Trump’s need for attention and approval. Marcotte added that her dramatic comments, such as calling him “the greatest businessman of all time,” help spread the false belief that Trump was a successful businessman, even though, as Marcotte pointed out, he had several business failures and went bankrupt multiple times.
The podcast also touched on disturbing claims about how the Trump administration used intense, sometimes AI-generated images to push their message. These included shocking visuals of detained migrants being mistreated, with shaved heads and exaggerated tattoos, which were reportedly shown during Trump rallies to stir up emotions among his supporters.
Leavitt wasn’t the only one using over-the-top language to praise Trump. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi also did something similar, once telling Trump in a Cabinet meeting that his first 100 days in office were better than any other president in U.S. history.
Former press secretary Jen Psaki, now a host on MSNBC, also shared her opinion on Leavitt’s performance. She said recent White House briefings have started to feel strange and off-track. Psaki compared how she would answer questions versus how the current team handles things and noted how Trump tends to turn everything into a show rather than focusing on real details. For example, when Trump made a deal with the UK and announced it before similar deals with other countries, Psaki said the headlines were more important to him than the actual agreement.
The overall criticism highlights how Trump’s team, especially Leavitt, is more focused on image and praise than facts and honest answers—something many people, including political commentators and journalists, are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with.
