White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared on the conservative Ruthless Podcast on July 22, 2025, celebrating what she described as President Donald Trump’s “incredible” first six months of his second term while making sharp criticisms and comparisons to former President Joe Biden’s administration.
On the podcast, Leavitt did not hold back in criticizing Biden. Referring to his press secretary, she said: “I think my predecessor in this role was not good at the job for a lot of reasons. But I almost feel bad for her, because she had an impossible task to speak on behalf of a brain‑dead president. I say that with sincerity in my heart.” Her remarks directly targeted both Biden and his press secretary, Karine Jean‑Pierre.
Leavitt outlined what she characterized as Trump’s major achievements since taking office in January 2025. She, debatably untruthfully, emphasized that Trump had delivered on his two primary campaign promises within six months, focusing specifically on defeating inflation and securing the border.
Leavitt indicated that Trump accomplished border security measures entirely through executive power, despite being told by critics that congressional legislation would be required. She dismissed those claims as false, noting that the American public trusted that a new president could resolve the issue without additional bills.
The press secretary highlighted multiple areas where she believes Trump has succeeded, including foreign policy achievements such as stopping wars, securing hostage releases from Gaza, and negotiating trade deals. She noted that Trump works around the clock and described the administration’s approach as both successful and enjoyable.
Leavitt contrasted Trump’s second term with his first presidency, explaining that Trump faced constant battles during his initial term, including what she called the Russia hoax and impeachment proceedings. She suggested that Trump now feels vindicated and is having more fun while governing because he can focus on delivering on promises rather than fighting for political survival. This is notable with the appearance this week of prevalent media reporting hinting at scandals about him, notably the Jeffrey Epstein drama.
The podcast appearance occurred as part of a broader Trump administration strategy to engage with non-traditional media outlets. Fox News had recently secured a licensing deal with the Ruthless Podcast as part of its expansion into new media formats, reflecting changing patterns in how Americans consume news and information.
This media engagement aligns with Leavitt’s broader approach to White House communications. In earlier appearances on the same podcast in March 2025, she had made controversial comments about journalists, referring to some liberal reporters with profanity and describing how she and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung respond to media inquiries they consider biased.
The Trump administration has significantly altered the traditional White House press briefing format since taking office. Leavitt announced in January 2025 that the administration would welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for White House press credentials.
This new media initiative generated substantial interest, with the White House receiving over 7,400 applications for new media passes within the first 24 hours of the announcement. The administration later reported receiving more than 10,000 applications for the designated “new media” seat in the White House briefing room.
The Ruthless Podcast became the first outlet to occupy the new media seat during White House briefings. The podcast, which describes itself as focusing on conservative politics and news for people with a sense of humor, is hosted by Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook.
When Ruthless Podcast host John Ashbrook occupied the new media seat in January 2025, he used his opening question to criticize traditional media coverage of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Leavitt responded that “The media certainly is out of touch.”
The administration’s media strategy extends beyond the White House briefing room. The Pentagon has implemented similar changes, rotating out workspace assignments for traditional outlets like The New York Times, NBC News, and NPR in favor of newer or more conservative-leaning organizations, including the New York Post, One America News Network, and Breitbart.
These changes reflect broader shifts in how Americans consume news, particularly among younger demographics. According to Pew Research Center data cited in coverage of the administration’s media policies, approximately 20 percent of Americans, many under 30 years old, regularly obtain news from social media influencers rather than traditional news sources.
The Trump administration has also established a “Rapid Response 47” account on X to disseminate its views and challenge journalists or stories it opposes. The account’s stated mission includes supporting the president and holding what it terms “Fake Media” accountable.
At 27 years old, Leavitt is the youngest person to serve as White House Press Secretary. She has balanced her professional responsibilities with motherhood, bringing her son Niko to work at the White House and sharing photos of him in the Oval Office and during meetings.