A tense exchange unfolded at a White House press briefing as Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, faced relentless questioning regarding Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein. The inquiries centered on Lutnick’s recent testimony before a Senate subcommittee, where he admitted to a brief visit to Epstein’s island during a family vacation in 2012.
Leavitt consistently deflected the questions, firmly stating President Trump’s continued support for Lutnick. She emphasized his importance to the administration, despite mounting pressure from Democrats and critics demanding Lutnick’s removal following the release of documents revealing continued communication between the two men years after Lutnick claimed to have severed ties.
The press conference took an unexpected turn when Leavitt, seemingly frustrated by the persistent focus on the Epstein matter, abruptly shifted the narrative. She launched into a detailed recitation of the administration’s recent accomplishments, achievements she asserted the media had largely ignored.
Leavitt highlighted the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassing 50,000 points for the first time, a significant milestone she claimed went unacknowledged. She also pointed to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ opposition to gender-affirming surgeries for children, framing it as a landmark decision.
Further bolstering her list, Leavitt cited a federal appeals court upholding the administration’s policy of detaining individuals who enter the country illegally, attributing this to historic lows in illegal crossings. She also declared a dramatic decrease in the national murder rate, crediting the President’s crime crackdown.
The administration’s focus on economic improvements was also emphasized, with Leavitt noting declines in national median rent prices and a surge in mortgage affordability. These points were presented as evidence of the administration’s commitment to easing financial burdens on American families.
Following the briefing, a White House spokesman characterized critical media coverage as “Fake News,” asserting the administration’s dedication to transparency and truth. The exchange underscored a growing divide between the administration and certain media outlets.
The briefing itself was delayed by approximately 40 minutes, attributed to a meeting between the President and Leavitt to discuss updates on the missing person case of Nancy Guthrie. The entire session lasted just over 20 minutes, concluding with Leavitt’s announcement of the President’s upcoming energy policy event.
Leavitt concluded by stating the need to return to work, citing the President’s busy schedule and foreshadowing his appearance at the East Room event the following day. The swift conclusion left lingering questions about the administration’s handling of the Lutnick controversy and its commitment to addressing concerns raised by the media.
