At just 27, Karoline Leavitt has skyrocketed from scooping ice cream in a New Hampshire hometown to standing at the White House podium as the bold, unapologetic voice of the Trump administration.
Once a journalism hopeful, she’s now one of the media’s fiercest critics — and a rising Gen Z icon on the conservative stage.
But her latest jab at President Joe Biden has sparked serious backlash, with critics calling her ”rude” and ”disrespectful.”
Here’s how the once small-town girl turned Washington firebrand stirred up a new political storm — and why her comment is lighting up social media.
Former President Joe Biden made a rare public appearance this week to speak out on Social Security — and while many tuned in to hear his message, it was a jab from the current White House press secretary that stole the spotlight and set off a wave of backlash.
Karoline Leavitt, 27, the youngest press secretary in U.S. history and a known Trump loyalist, didn’t hold back when asked about Biden’s speech.
“My first reaction when seeing former President Biden was speaking tonight was, I’m shocked that he is speaking at nighttime,” Leavitt said. “I thought his bedtime was much earlier than his speech tonight.”
The dig, clearly aimed at Biden’s age, instantly exploded across social media.
Lack of basic respect?
While Leavitt did go on to make a more policy-focused statement — emphasizing Donald Trump’s commitment to protecting Social Security — it was her first sentence that had everyone talking.
“President Trump is absolutely certain about protecting Social Security benefits for law-abiding, tax-paying American citizens and seniors who have paid into this program,” she said.
“He will always protect this program. He campaigned on it. He protected it in his first term, and he’s back again to continue protecting it.”
But for many, that wasn’t enough to overshadow what they called a lack of basic respect.
“Very rude…”
People across Facebook and Instagram didn’t mince words in response to Leavitt’s tone.
“No class at all. Shame on you. How old is your HUSBAND? You will be saying the same thing not far away,” one person wrote, referencing the fact that Leavitt’s husband is 32 years older than her.
“Very rude. She’s talking about a former US President. He deserves at least respect!” another person wrote.
“Ok, so, although I do usually like her blunt nature, however, this was immature and disrespectful,” another said. “I did not care for President Biden, but he was still our President, and he is still a person.”