thumbnail

A Wave of Speculation

Karoline Leavitt's departure from the White House press secretary role was never going to be a quiet affair, but few expected the fallout to be this dramatic. Her recent social media activity has sparked a firestorm of speculation, with many wondering if she's deliberately undermining the current press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. The timing is suspicious, the subtext is thick, and the stakes are enormous.

Leavitt, who left the administration in August, has been posting seemingly innocent updates about her new life at Fox News. But the content of her posts—particularly one responding to a follower's question about why she left the White House—has raised eyebrows. Leavitt didn't just answer the question; she seemed to draw a deliberate contrast between her own work ethic and the current press secretary's performance.

In the post, Leavitt emphasized that as press secretary, she worked "60 plus hours a week, traveling the world, and always on call 24/7." Now, she says, she's "home with my kids every day and doing some TV hits." The implication is clear: she handled a grueling job with grace, while her successor is struggling. And just hours later, Leavitt posted photos from a pumpkin patch with her children, a picture-perfect image of domestic bliss and effortless competence.

Whether intentional or not, the message resonates. It's a stark contrast to the reports emerging from inside the White House, where officials are reportedly expressing frustration with the current press secretary's performance. And Leavitt's silence on the matter—her refusal to offer public encouragement to her successor—speaks volumes.

Who Is Karoline Leavitt?

Before diving into the controversy, it's worth revisiting who Leavitt is and why her tenure as White House press secretary was significant. Leavitt, a former Trump campaign spokesperson and communications director, was appointed as press secretary in 2021. At 24, she was the youngest person ever to hold the position, a fact that made her appointment both historic and controversial.

During her time in the role, Leavitt quickly became known for her combative style and unwavering loyalty to the former president. She was a fierce defender of Trump's policies and a frequent sparring partner for the White House press corps. Supporters praised her for her tenacity and her ability to stay on message, while critics accused her of deflecting questions and spreading misinformation.

Her departure in August was sudden and unexplained. At the time, sources close to Leavitt said she left to spend more time with her family, but rumors of internal tensions persisted. Now, with her recent social media activity, those rumors have resurfaced with renewed intensity.

The Legal Credentials Controversy

The current press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, faces a growing storm of controversy over her legal credentials. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that she had labeled herself a lawyer and a corporate attorney, but investigations by multiple outlets revealed that she is not licensed to practice law in any state.

According to reporting from Popular Info and The Washington Post, Leavitt is not listed as a member of the State Bar of California, the State Bar of Texas, or the DC Bar—the three jurisdictions where she has lived and worked. Not only that, but there is no record of her having passed the bar exam in any state.

Leavitt has tried to explain away the discrepancy, arguing that she called herself a "lawyer" rather than "attorney at law" and that she provided legal analysis, not legal advice. She claimed that her international legal experience in transactional law gave her the ability to analyze legal matters without being a licensed attorney. But legal experts disagree. As one expert told The Washington Post, Leavitt could not have passed the Chinese bar exam—where she claims to have worked—because only Chinese nationals can take it.

The issue came to a head during a tense exchange with reporters outside the White House. When asked directly where she passed the bar, Leavitt dodged the question, saying only that she "moved to China." A White House spokesperson later clarified that Leavitt moved to China with her husband after graduating and worked on international transaction law. But that doesn't answer the fundamental question: where is she licensed to practice law?

For an administration that prides itself on transparency and accountability, this is a glaring problem.

Behind the Scenes: White House Frustration

Reports from inside the White House paint a picture of a press secretary who is struggling to find her footing. According to sources who spoke to MS Now, officials are worried that Leavitt's rocky start could spiral into a disaster.

One anonymous White House official was quoted as saying, "Getting behind the podium is tough, but she got off on the wrong foot. She needs to get much better fast, otherwise she'll break Scaramucci's record." The reference to Anthony Scaramucci—who lasted just 10 days as White House communications director—is a brutal comparison.

Other reports suggest that White House officials are pining for Leavitt's predecessor. "They really miss Karoline," one source reportedly said. That sentiment, if true, is a damning indictment of the current press secretary's performance.

But who is pushing this narrative? And why? Some observers believe that Leavitt herself may be playing a role in shaping the public perception. Her recent social media posts, which highlight her own competence and work ethic, could be seen as a subtle but deliberate attempt to remind everyone that she was better at the job.

Others suggest that Leavitt is simply enjoying the schadenfreude. After all, she left the role under less-than-ideal circumstances, and watching her successor flounder must be satisfying. But the more likely explanation is more complex: Leavitt may be positioning herself for a comeback, or at least for a role as a trusted Trump ally in the media.

Leavitt's Media Blitz

Since leaving the White House, Leavitt has become a fixture on Fox News, where she serves as a contributor and occasional host. Her commentary has been reliably pro-Trump, and she has used her platform to defend the former president and attack his critics.

But her media appearances have also served another purpose: they have kept her in the public eye and reinforced her image as a competent, loyal, and effective communicator. In a sense, she is auditioning for a future role in a potential Trump administration, even as she subtly undermines the current press secretary.

During a recent appearance on Fox News, Leavitt was asked about her decision to leave the White House. She gave a carefully crafted answer that emphasized her dedication to her family while also highlighting her work ethic. "As a secretary, I was working in the office 60 plus hours a week, traveling the world, and always on call 24/7," she said. "Now I'm home with my kids every day and doing some TV hits. These things are not the same."

The statement was designed to sound modest, but the underlying message was clear: Leavitt handled a demanding job with grace, and she is now enjoying a more balanced life while still contributing to the conservative cause.

The Press Secretary's Own Struggles

It would be unfair to lay all the blame for the current press secretary's difficulties at Leavitt's feet. The fact is, the job is inherently difficult, and the current press secretary has faced a steep learning curve.

During her first press briefing, she stumbled over her notes, struggled to answer questions, and appeared visibly nervous. Since then, she has improved somewhat, but she continues to face criticism for deflecting questions and relying on friendly reporters.

One particularly embarrassing moment came when she blamed her poor briefing performance on Indigenous People's Day and an unusually early 9:30 a.m. start time. The excuse drew widespread mockery, with critics pointing out that millions of Americans start work at 9:30 a.m. or earlier every day.

Then there was the bar exam fiasco. When pressed on where she passed the bar, the press secretary gave a rambling, evasive answer that left reporters more confused than before. It was a stark reminder that she is not a licensed attorney, despite her claims to the contrary.

The White House has tried to downplay the controversy, with a spokesperson insisting that the press secretary's legal background is not relevant to her role. But the damage has been done. The press secretary's credibility is damaged, and her ability to effectively communicate the administration's message has been compromised.

Leavitt's Silence Speaks Volumes

Throughout the controversy, Leavitt has remained conspicuously silent. She has not offered public encouragement to her successor, nor has she defended her against the criticism. Instead, she has allowed the narrative to develop without interference, which some interpret as a tacit endorsement of the criticism.

To be fair, Leavitt has no obligation to defend her successor. She left the job, and she has moved on to a new chapter in her career. But her silence, combined with her subtle social media posts, sends a clear message: she believes she was better at the job, and she is not afraid to let others draw that conclusion.

This dynamic is not uncommon in Washington. Former officials often watch their successors struggle with a mixture of sympathy and satisfaction. But in this case, the stakes are higher. The press secretary's struggles could have real consequences for the administration's ability to communicate its message and shape public opinion.

The Broader Implications for the Administration

The controversy surrounding the press secretary's legal credentials and her rocky start in the briefing room is more than just a personal embarrassment. It raises broader questions about the administration's vetting process and its commitment to transparency.

If the press secretary misrepresented her legal credentials, what else might she have exaggerated? And if the White House was aware of the discrepancy, why did it allow her to continue claiming to be a lawyer?

These questions are particularly relevant given the administration's ongoing battles with the media and its critics. The press secretary is the public face of the White House, and her credibility is essential to the administration's ability to make its case to the American people.

The controversy also highlights the challenges facing the administration as it tries to navigate a hostile media environment. The press secretary's job is notoriously difficult, and the pressure can be overwhelming. But the administration needs someone who can handle the pressure with grace and competence, and right now, that person does not appear to be the current press secretary.

What's Next for Leavitt?

As for Leavitt, her future remains bright. She has a lucrative career at Fox News, a loyal following among Trump supporters, and a reputation as a rising star in conservative media. Many observers expect her to play a prominent role in a future Trump administration, whether as press secretary, communications director, or in another senior role.

But her recent social media activity has raised questions about her willingness to play nice with her successors. If she does return to the White House, she will need to demonstrate that she can work collaboratively with others and that she is not willing to undermine her colleagues for personal gain.

For now, Leavitt seems content to watch the drama unfold from the sidelines. Her pumpkin patch photos and her pointed Instagram posts are a reminder that she is thriving while her successor struggles. Whether that is fair or not is beside the point. In politics, perception is reality, and the perception right now is that Leavitt is the competent one, and the current press secretary is not.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale

The saga of the White House press secretary's struggles is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overpromising and underdelivering. It is also a reminder that in the high-stakes world of Washington politics, credibility is everything. Once it is lost, it is difficult to regain.

For Leavitt, the controversy is an opportunity. She can use it to position herself as a steady hand and a trusted voice for the conservative movement. But she must be careful not to appear vindictive or petty. The line between savvy self-promotion and petty sabotage is thin, and crossing it could damage her reputation.

For the current press secretary, the path forward is clear: she must improve her performance, answer questions directly, and stop making excuses. If she can do that, she may yet salvage her credibility and prove her critics wrong. But if she cannot, her tenure may be remembered as one of the shortest and most troubled in recent memory.

And for the American people, the controversy is a reminder that the people who speak for the president should be held to a high standard. They should be competent, honest, and transparent. Anything less is a disservice to the office they hold and the public they serve.