In an era when political communications are often measured in viral clips and partisan sound bites, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is now reportedly earning an unusual mix of recognition — including from Democrats — for what some see as her mastery of the briefing room.
Mark Halperin, speaking on 2WAY Tuesday, called Leavitt’s instincts “incredible,” noting he was “surprised” at the number of Democrats willing to concede that she is “doing a good job.” Turning to fellow panelist Dan Turrentine for an assessment, Halperin invited him to weigh in on what sets Leavitt apart.
“She’s cool, calm, and sharp,” Turrentine said. “I mean, she just, she presents well, she speaks well, she’s on message. She can deliver a zinger in a crisp way. She doesn’t kind of, you know, bloviate and go on and on. She’s just cool, calm, and crisp. I’m super impressed.”
Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer echoed that sentiment, highlighting Leavitt’s close working relationship with President Donald J. Trump. “She knows her red lines,” Spicer said. “She does a really good job of staying between the guardrails. This is what the president said, this is what he believes, or I’ll get back to you. She colors within the lines really well. And she has a strong relationship with the president, and she knows what to say and what not to.”
Halperin, who has covered multiple administrations, added that Leavitt’s preparedness distinguishes her from some of her predecessors.
“She’s up on the news. I’ve dealt with press secretaries who really aren’t up on the news because they’re going to meetings, whatever, and they just don’t keep themselves informed. Karoline is just a voracious consumer of information,” he said.
To illustrate the point, Halperin read from a recent critique by historian Heather Cox Richardson of a Trump press conference announcing a crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C. Far from shrinking from criticism, Halperin argued, Leavitt treats such material as an opportunity.
“All I’ll say is, Karoline Leavitt reads stuff like that and sees a buffet, a smorgasbord of possibilities to put the Left on defense,” he said.
That combative posture, Halperin added, separates Leavitt from press secretaries who take the podium merely hoping to avoid errors or controversy.
“She’s just got an incredible instinct for doing that,” he said. “Which is, again, different than going to the podium as some secretaries have done, trying not to make mistakes, trying to just get through the briefing without creating any news, or creating any problems. She is on offense and the Left is giving her every day material to work with.”
In the Trump White House, a press secretary’s ability to project message discipline while driving the administration’s narrative is prized. For Leavitt, that means pairing sharp on-message delivery with a readiness to turn criticism into counterattack — a style that has won her praise from the president’s allies and grudging respect from political opponents.
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