In a charged exchange during a recent press briefing, Trump Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not hold back in criticizing what she described as one of the “greatest cover-ups in American history.” Her comments, made in response to a question about legacy media accountability and a lawsuit against CBS, touched on media credibility, polling integrity, and former President Donald Trump’s ongoing battle with mainstream news outlets.
The briefing began with a question referencing the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and a recent Axios article written by Alex Thompson, formerly of Politico. The reporter highlighted a growing acknowledgment from some media members that they had failed to address President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline during his time in office. “They missed the story of Joe Biden’s health demise,” the reporter said, quoting recent admissions from outlets such as Politico and CNN’s Jake Tapper.
A “Scandal of Historic Proportions”
Leavitt responded firmly, saying it didn’t take investigative journalism to understand what was happening. “It didn’t take much, just two eyes and two ears to realize that Joe Biden was completely inept,” she said. Leavitt accused the media of covering for Biden during his campaign and presidency and recalled how early warnings from the Trump campaign about Biden’s mental decline were dismissed as “deep fakes.”
She emphasized that not only the mainstream media, but even the White House knew the truth about Biden’s cognitive state — yet they participated in the alleged cover-up. “Nobody in the legacy media, nobody in this city, wanted to talk about it,” she declared. “It is truly one of the greatest cover-ups and scandals in American history.”
CBS Lawsuit and Potential Legal Action Against NYT
The discussion then turned to Trump’s legal battle with CBS. The press secretary confirmed that Trump and his legal team intend to pursue the lawsuit, which stems from alleged misinformation and defamation broadcast by the network.
“The president put out a very strong statement… and fake news, CBS This Morning, is at the heart of it,” Leavitt said. The possibility of expanding the lawsuit to include The New York Times was also brought up, as the Times had reportedly echoed CBS’s stance. Leavitt did not confirm specific legal action against the Times but emphasized that the Trump team is not ruling out additional lawsuits.
“Fake Polls” and Fox News Under Fire
Interestingly, Leavitt’s criticism wasn’t limited to left-leaning outlets. Fox News was also called out for releasing a poll that allegedly misrepresented Trump’s support among the electorate. “The president’s right — these are fake polls,” she said. “They over-poll Democrats, they under-poll President Trump’s supporters.”
Leavitt claimed that Fox’s methodology was skewed and reflective of a broader pattern in mainstream polling that consistently underestimates Trump’s popularity. When asked whether Trump would sue Fox News, she didn’t directly answer but reiterated that the campaign views such polls as distractions and is staying focused on its message and agenda.
“We don’t blink when we see them,” she said. “We’re staying focused on the mission.”
Embracing Independent Media
Leavitt contrasted legacy outlets with a growing class of independent journalists and influencers, many of whom she said were the first to call attention to Biden’s health issues — long before the mainstream press acknowledged them. She emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency and openness toward alternative media voices.
“We are welcoming independent journalists and social media influencers into the White House with open arms,” she stated, claiming that many of these individuals had been unfairly marginalized by the traditional media establishment.
A Battle Over Trust and Information
The exchange at the press briefing reflects deeper tensions in American political life — particularly the increasing distrust between conservatives and the mainstream media. For Trump’s team, the narrative is clear: the media failed the public, aided in a cover-up, and now must be held accountable through legal and political means.
Leavitt’s remarks were unapologetically aggressive and calculated to appeal to Trump’s base. They reinforce a strategy that relies on confrontation rather than cooperation with the press, while also embracing new digital-first influencers as the future of political journalism.
Conclusion
Karoline Leavitt’s fiery response encapsulates the Trump campaign’s broader strategy: discredit legacy media, challenge unfavorable narratives legally, and pivot to independent, online voices that better align with their message. The lawsuit against CBS — and the potential legal action against The New York Times — signals a campaign that is not just preparing for political combat in 2024, but also aiming to reshape the media landscape along the way.
Whether these tactics will prove successful remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle over information, credibility, and truth is far from over.
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