Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said some White House reporters privately apologised after asking questions they believed were unfair, claiming their editors or senior executives had instructed them to do so. Speaking to Sean Hannity, she said press briefings can be performative, with both journalists and administration officials contributing to political theatre.

Leavitt did not identify the reporters or provide specific examples. She argued that journalists at major organisations are often directed by their bosses, while insisting she wanted fairness, truth and accuracy rather than favourable coverage. Despite criticising some reporters as “left-wing hacks”, she said she did not hate journalists and acknowledged improvements at certain networks, including CBS.