Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is taking aim at Karoline Leavitt, setting off another debate over how the Biden and Trump administrations handled the White House press corps.
Psaki, who served as President Joe Biden’s first White House press secretary, recently criticized Leavitt’s approach to dealing with reporters. Psaki accused Leavitt of avoiding difficult questions and argued that the Trump White House changed the briefing room in ways that favored friendlier media voices.
Leavitt’s supporters see things very differently. They have praised her willingness to confront reporters directly, defend President Donald Trump’s agenda and communicate with newer forms of media rather than relying exclusively on traditional Washington news organizations. Trump himself has praised Leavitt as one of the best people ever to hold the position.
The disagreement raises a larger question about what Americans actually expect from a White House press secretary.
Should the person behind the podium primarily maintain a cooperative relationship with journalists, even when the questions are hostile? Or should a press secretary aggressively challenge reporters when the administration believes their questions or coverage are unfair?
There is also the question of accessibility. Traditional White House reporters have long occupied an influential position in Washington, but the media landscape has changed dramatically. Podcasts, independent journalists and digital outlets now reach millions of Americans who rarely watch traditional television news.
Psaki and Leavitt represent two very different administrations and two noticeably different approaches to communicating with the country.
Ultimately, voters can decide which style they believe better served the American public.