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CNN has come under a barrage of criticism after one of the network’s journalists appeared to give new White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt a nickname.
Leavitt, 27, is a rising Republican star and was widely praised for her performance following her first White House press briefing earlier this week.
While Republican commentators and politicians rushed to praise Leavitt for her performance, she was criticized.
And, during a CNN broadcast, senior reporter Daniel Dale referred to her as a “spinmeister.”
The context in which Dale used the word was in relation to the federal spending freeze.
Leavitt told reporters that Social Security payments and food stamps would continue going to Americans despite the temporary halt.
But, she didn’t say if non-profit amenities, such as meals on wheels, would be affected.
“It’s a classic spinmeister tactic saying I answered that when you haven’t answered it and apparently can’t answer it right away,” Dale said.
“There’s considerable uncertainty around the country among non profits of various kinds.”
Dale’s apparent jibe surfaced on social media and X users lashed out at the broadcaster.
Scores of people described the network as being “jealous.”
Others accused the channel of being desperate for views.
Fans hailed Leavitt for how articulate she was at the podium and said her responses were more “forthright” than those of her predecessors, Jen Psaki and Karine Jean-Pierre.
Some believed the spinmeister nickname could be attributed to Jean-Pierre.
The U.S. Sun has approached CNN and Dale for comment.
Viewers also said Leavitt has been “taking the souls” of the broadcasters that interview her.
Get to know Karoline Leavitt
Donald Trump’s press secretary is the youngest White House press secretary ever at 27.
Here are some fast facts about Karoline Leavitt:
- She was raised Catholic in Atkinson, New Hampshire
- She attended Saint Anselm College
- She started her college’s first broadcasting club
- She interned at Fox News during college
- She worked as the assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany
- She won the Republican primary for the US House of Representatives in New Hampshire in 2022
- She’s married to 59-year-old entrepreneur Nicholas Riccio
- She gave birth to her first son, Niko, in July 2024
- She went back to work for Trump days after giving birth
- She had her mic cut off in a CNN interview in June 2024 after criticizing presidential debate moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper
Ex-NFL star Michael Strahan probed the Gen-Z press secretary on Trump’s policy regarding federal workers being in the office.
Strahan asked Leavitt about the risks of scientists and doctors resigning.
But she quipped back saying: “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.”
She was hailed for her swift dissection of the question.
“Karoline Leavitt just took another soul on live TV,” one fan said.
They compared her to the grim reaper for taking down Strahan’s point.
“[She] gives no quarter,” another fan chimed.
‘TAKING SOULS’
Leavitt was named as Trump’s press secretary in November and was hailed for her performance following her first briefing.
Vice President JD Vance was among the Republicans who championed her performance.
“She killed it up there, and gave voice to a lot of voices in new media who are actually driving the news,” he said.
Amy Kremer, a Trump supporter, said Leavitt nailed her performance.
Mike Flynn, who served as national security adviser under Trump for 22 days in 2017, posted a fire emoji.
Public relations experts believe Leavitt could run for high office in the future.
Leavitt ran for Congress in 2022 but was defeated by lawmaker Chris Pappas.
