Karoline Leavitt Challenges New York Times Report on Trump Fatigue

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has publicly criticized a report from the New York Times that suggested President Donald Trump is exhibiting signs of fatigue during his second term. Leavitt argued that the article, which pointed to Trump’s travel schedule and public appearances, lacked sufficient evidence to support its claims.

Leavitt’s Response to the Report

In her remarks, Leavitt highlighted the Times’ acknowledgment that Trump’s international travel has actually increased compared to the early months of his first term. She noted that the president has recently visited locations including Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, indicating a busy schedule that can be taxing for anyone. “Anyone who has traveled overseas knows that such a schedule can leave even young adults’ sleep rhythms confused and bodies zapped of some energy,” she stated.

The report mentioned an incident where Trump appeared to nod off during a 20-minute event in the Oval Office focused on drug-price cuts, implying that this behavior was indicative of a larger issue regarding his fitness for office. Leavitt countered this narrative, suggesting that anyone could have a challenging day and questioning the motives behind the article.

Critique of the New York Times

Leavitt further criticized the New York Times for what she termed “fake news,” pointing out that the same reporter, Katie Rogers, who authored the article about Trump’s alleged fatigue, also wrote a piece asserting that President Joe Biden was “doing 100% fine” after a trip-and-fall incident while boarding Air Force One. She held up both articles during a press briefing to illustrate her point.

“That is unequivocally false, and it’s deeply unfortunate that this story was written by the same outlet and the same reporter who wrote that Biden is doing fine,” Leavitt said. She defended Trump’s accessibility, stating, “You all see him almost every single day. He is the most accessible president in history.”

According to the New York Times, from January 20 to November 25 during Trump’s first term, he conducted 1,688 official events compared to 1,029 during the same period of his second term. This translates to an average of approximately 5.5 events per day in his first term versus 3.5 in his second, which Leavitt argues still indicates a high level of activity.

She suggested that it is common for two-term presidents to reduce the number of official events over time, as they often shift from a focus on quantity to quality in their engagements. “Working smarter hopefully replaces working more for anyone who holds such an executive position over time,” Leavitt remarked.

In conclusion, Leavitt’s response to the New York Times story reflects an ongoing effort to defend the president against what she perceives as misleading narratives. The press secretary’s comments underscore the contentious relationship between the White House and media outlets, particularly in the context of how presidential performance is reported and interpreted.