White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has earned more praise after her stunning takedown of ABC’s “Good Morning America” host Michael Strahan.
Leavitt surprised Strahan during an interview when she defended President Donald Trump’s efforts to get federal workers back to work in Washington, DC.
Strahan said he was worried that government doctors and scientists would quit their jobs rather than go back to their offices five days a week.
Strahan asked: “But is there any concern we risk losing people with years of experience like doctors and — and let’s say scientists?”
Leavitt seized the moment and shot back: “Well, most doctors who work in actual hospitals and medical institutions have to show up to the office. We know that employees are more productive and more efficient when they are working in an in-office environment and that’s what this administration expects. And I think that’s what American taxpayers expect. Don’t forget it’s the American people funding this government. They deserve people who are actually showing up to work on their behalf.”
WATCH:
Hilarious moment from @PressSec @KarolineLeavitt’s interview on ABC’s @GMA….
Michael Strahan: “But is there any concern we risk losing people with years of experience like doctors and — and let’s say scientists?”
Leavitt: “Well, most doctors who work in actual hospitals and… pic.twitter.com/TLNPhs0thO
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 29, 2025
Fans of Leavitt rallied to her support, describing her as the ‘grim reaper’ for newscasters like Strahan, a former NFL player for the New York Giants.
‘Karoline Leavitt just took another soul on live TV,’ wrote one supporter on X, sharing video of the exchange. ‘She’s like the fake news’ grim reaper.’
Video of the exchange went viral on social media, earning more than three million views.
‘Stone-cold killer. Will reach legend status,’ wrote social media user JoeT.
As the youngest press secretary in the position’s history, Leavitt, 27, has immediately gained the support of the president and his followers.
She made her debut in the White House press briefing room on Tuesday, announcing that she was offering seats to influencers and new media outlets to shake up the seating arrangements.
When the White House announced on Tuesday that podcasters, independent journalists, and social media influencers would now be included in the press briefing, “new media” reporters and influencers applauded.
“In keeping with this revolutionary media approach that President Trump deployed during the campaign, the Trump White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media who are seated in this room,” President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on Tuesday.
“Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from podcasts, blogs, social media and other independent outlets,” Leavitt continued.
She added that the White House’s James S. Brady Press Briefing Room would be opened up to “new media voices who produce news-related content,” allowing them to sit with the traditional press corps.
“It’s essential to our team that we share President Trump’s message everywhere and adapt our White House to the new media landscape in 2025,” she said.
“If you’re an independent journalist, podcaster, social media influencer, or content creator who meet the criteria — apply to come join us!” Leavitt wrote on the X platform.
In response to the announcement on Tuesday, content creators expressed their interest in applying or reaffirmed their intention to register for a press credential.
Activist Scott Presler, a conservative influencer who helped Trump win Pennsylvania, announced on Tuesday that he was applying for briefing credentials.
“If I am chosen for the White House press briefings, I will do my best to sit near Kaitlan Collins. My hair will be done,” he added in an X post.