Karoline Leavitt Challenges New York Times on Trump’s Fitness Claims

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has publicly challenged a recent article from the New York Times, which suggested that President Donald Trump is exhibiting signs of fatigue during his second term. Leavitt criticized the report for its perceived inaccuracies, particularly highlighting Trump’s extensive international travel schedule, which includes multiple trips to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Response to Claims of Fatigue

The New York Times article noted that Trump appeared to struggle to stay awake during a 20-minute segment at an Oval Office event focused on drug-price cuts. It mentioned that Trump nodded off shortly after returning from a trip to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea in October. Leavitt defended the President, suggesting that such occurrences can happen to anyone, regardless of age or vigor, especially after a taxing travel schedule.

In addressing the article, Leavitt stated, “The fake news that we see pumped out of this building on a day-to-day basis — it’s honestly overwhelming to keep up with it all.” She argued that the New York Times misrepresented the President’s activities, claiming they took a small portion of his schedule to conclude he is less active than during his first term.

Comparing Presidential Activity Levels

Leavitt highlighted figures from Trump’s first term, stating that from January 20 to November 25, 2021, 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 official events per day in the first term versus 3.5 in the second. While the numbers suggest a decrease, Leavitt emphasized that this could be a common trend for two-term presidents as they adapt to their roles.

She further criticized the New York Times for employing the same reporter, Katie Rogers, who previously wrote a piece stating President Joe Biden was “doing 100% fine” after tripping while boarding Air Force One. “Are you kidding me?” Leavitt questioned, referring to the inconsistency in reporting regarding the two presidents.

Leavitt concluded that the article from the New York Times was not grounded in substantial evidence and merely served to foster doubt about Trump’s capabilities. This incident reflects ongoing tensions between the White House and media outlets, particularly concerning the representation of the President’s health and activity levels.

The discourse surrounding Trump’s presidency often highlights differing narratives from various media organizations, reflecting the polarized nature of political reporting in the current climate.