Karoline Leavitt, the national press secretary for Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, has recently come under fire for a series of controversial remarks targeting President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Critics have labeled her comments as “disgusting” and “cruel,” sparking widespread backlash across political and media circles.Washington Digest+1HuffPost+1
In a July 2024 appearance on Fox Business’s Mornings with Maria Bartiromo, Leavitt accused Jill Biden of “elder abuse,” alleging that the First Lady was complicit in concealing President Biden’s purported cognitive decline. She stated, “Jill Biden doesn’t want to be a loving wife and go take care of her husband in Delaware, which is what she should be doing.” Leavitt further claimed that Jill Biden was “lying to the American people” about the President’s mental fitness and should be held accountable for her actions. Washington Examiner+1Washington Digest+1
The backlash intensified following Leavitt’s comments on Newsmax, where she reiterated her stance, asserting that the First Lady must convince the President to step down. She emphasized the importance of integrity and truthfulness in handling such sensitive information, suggesting that Jill Biden’s actions were misleading the public about her husband’s cognitive health. Washington Examiner+3Washington Digest+3Washington Examiner+3
Leavitt’s remarks have been met with significant criticism. Many have condemned her for making personal attacks on the President and First Lady, arguing that such comments are unbecoming of a national campaign spokesperson. The accusations of “elder abuse” and suggestions that Jill Biden is prioritizing personal gain over her husband’s well-being have been particularly contentious.Washington Examiner
In addition to these comments, Leavitt has faced scrutiny for other controversial statements. During a press briefing, she mispronounced “damning” as “damnening” while criticizing President Biden’s speech abilities, leading to widespread mockery and questions about her own communication skills. Furthermore, she has been criticized for making light of President Biden’s past missteps, such as when she posted a video on Instagram referencing the President’s stumble on Air Force One’s stairs, captioning it with a smiley face emoji.
