Fox News viewers troll ‘Karoline Lying Leavitt’ as she ‘makes up figures’ on live TV
Karoline Leavitt had a heated exchange with a reporter as they discussed the year-over-year inflation rate, with the White House Press Secretary being accused of ‘lying’ by viewers
Karoline Leavitt got an awkward new nickname(Image: AP)
Fox News viewers have come up with an awkward new nickname for Karoline Leavitt as she was accused of ‘sharing false statistics’ on live TV.
The White House Press Secretary, 28, discussed inflation during a press briefing on Thursday, December 11. She told those gathered that inflation “is down from where it was” and claimed it has “slowed to an average 2.5% pace.”
The year-over-year inflation rate in January, when Donald Trump returned to the White House, was 3%. In September, which is the most recent month for which Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures have been released, it was also 3%, not the 2.5% Karoline claimed it to be. The 2.5% figure Leavitt quoted is the average of the annualized rates of monthly CPI growth from January through September, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has cited the same number.
Leavitt’s use of statistics has earned her the nickname “Karoline Lying Leavitt” among Fox News viewers. It comes as fervent Trump supporter Kristi Noem’s appearance before plastic surgery is revealed in throwback photos.
The press briefing was aired on the network, with a reporter filmed asking, “First, very quickly clarifying Kaitlan’s question, you acknowledge that CPI in January when you took office was 3% and in September, the last month which we have data, it was also 3%.” She tried to continue, “So inflation…” before Karoline interrupted.
“It’s 2.5%,” the White House Press Secretary insisted. The reporter hit back, “Not in September, it was 3%.” Karoline continued to insist that inflation is at 2.5%.
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The press briefing was aired on Fox News(Image: FOX News)
“The average CPI right now, I have it in front of me, in President Trump’s first eight months in office, inflation is measured by the overall Consumer Price Index has lowed to a 2.5 average pace. This is down from the 2.9% inherited in January,” she said.
The reporter shot back, “January is one month,” before other journalists shouted for Karoline to answer their questions. The 28-year-old quickly moved on from the interaction.
The Fox News broadcast was shared on X, with people quick to share their thoughts. One older viewer joked, “As long as we’re doing math this way, from now on we can decide to be our average age that we’ve been on this planet. I am 28.”
“Her lies are catching up on her face and in her voice,” another person shared as someone else added, “Karolyin would tell us two plus two equals 5 with a straight face…” A fourth viewer fumed, “They’re now haggling with a calculator like it’s a political opponent — turning 3% into 2.5% by sheer attitude. This isn’t a press briefing, it’s a gaslighting seminar.”
Giving Karoline a new nickname, a viewer said, “Gaslighting Falls flat on its face when you present data in person, doesn’t it? Nice try there, Karoline Lying Leavitt.” Another praised the reporter, “You followed up on a question that was asked by a fellow reporter! STRENGTH IN UNITY.”
Viewers were quick to respond(Image: FOX News)
Other Fox News viewers slammed Trump supporters. “I can’t believe MAGA voters have so little respect for America that they let the Trump Administration lie to them like this,” one person admitted.
They added, “A question for MAGA, do you think the Admin is showing you respect when they lie to you like this? What do you think they’re trying to accomplish?”
