Signing Off: Karoline Leavitt Hints at Frustration with Trump Joke as She Prepares for Maternity Leave

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters at the White House on Friday, marking her final press gaggle before maternity leave. With a baby girl expected next week, her comments carried an undertone of frustration regarding her relationship with President Trump.

Leavitt, 28, expressed confidence in her team’s ability to handle media inquiries during her absence, quipping, “I know all of you have the president’s phone number personally.” The remark elicited laughter but also hinted at underlying tensions concerning Trump's direct interactions with the media.

“On a personal matter, this will likely be my last gaggle for some time,” she stated, acknowledging her imminent motherhood. “I know you’ll be in very good hands with my team here at the White House.”

Reports suggest that tensions between Leavitt and Trump have escalated recently. A Wall Street Journal article indicated that Trump has been keeping Leavitt uninformed, engaging in a “wait and see” strategy that has left her frustrated. Insiders claim he has teased her about leaking information to journalists without providing clarity when she inquired about it.

Since the onset of the conflict in Iran, Trump has reportedly been using his personal cell phone to communicate with a growing list of journalists, often delivering conflicting statements. Aides have warned him against these calls, citing the chaos they have caused.

During one such call, CNN reported that the war in Iran was “ahead of schedule,” only for Trump to later tell Time Magazine there was “no time limit.” In another instance, he claimed there was “practically nothing left to target in Iran,” while simultaneously threatening on Truth Social to obliterate a “whole civilization” if Iran did not comply with his ceasefire demands.

Leavitt’s role has also come under scrutiny. At a press conference on April 22, she confused journalists by stating she was no longer part of Trump’s political team. When asked about his campaigning for Virginia’s redistricting vote, she replied, “That’s a question that’s political by nature. As you know, I’m not part of the president’s political team anymore. I do sit here at the White House as a government employee.”