Karine Jean-Pierre Criticizes Gen Z Successor Karoline Leavitt: “It’s About Service, Not Online Trolling”

The former White House Press Secretary calls for professionalism and respect for the press amid viral controversies involving her successor.

Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has spoken out about her successor, Karoline Leavitt, following a series of widely discussed moments between the new press secretary and members of the media.

Appearing on The View on Tuesday, October 21, Jean-Pierre offered candid reflections on Leavitt’s recent conduct, saying that the role of White House Press Secretary “is not about online trolling” but about representing the American people with integrity.

The remarks come after a pair of incidents that have placed Leavitt — at 28, one of the youngest people ever to hold the position — under intense public scrutiny.

The Controversial Remarks That Started It All

The first of those moments involved a televised appearance in which Leavitt made sharply worded comments about political opponents. When asked about the administration’s critics, she declared that “The Democrat Party’s main constituency is Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals.”

The statement drew swift reaction from across the political spectrum and prompted The View panel to ask Jean-Pierre for her perspective.

“I have so many thoughts there,” the 51-year-old replied thoughtfully. “Hearing that, it’s deplorable. And I’m using that word on purpose.”

Her use of the word “deplorable” was deliberate — a reference to the now-famous phrase used during the 2016 presidential campaign by Hillary Clinton to describe some of Donald Trump’s supporters, which was later reclaimed by many within the MAGA movement.

Jean-Pierre continued:

“They don’t seem to understand — this is the Trump White House — that they don’t work for just one man. They work for the American people. It is about coming together for a common good.”

Her tone was firm but measured, her message clear: the job of speaking for a president, regardless of party, demands a standard of professionalism that transcends political rivalry.

A Text Exchange That Raised Eyebrows

The second moment that drew Jean-Pierre’s attention was a private message exchange that Leavitt herself made public.

On October 20, Leavitt shared screenshots of a conversation with S.V. Dáte, a White House correspondent for HuffPost. Dáte had asked whether former President Donald Trump — Leavitt’s current boss — was “aware of the significance of Budapest” as the chosen site for an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The city holds historical weight due to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, an agreement in which Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom guaranteed Ukraine’s sovereignty in exchange for its nuclear disarmament — a promise later broken when Russia invaded Ukraine.

“Who suggested Budapest?” Dáte asked.

Leavitt replied curtly: “Your mom did.”

When the journalist followed up, asking if the subject was humorous to her, Leavitt responded with a longer message criticizing Dáte personally and calling him biased.

The exchange quickly drew attention for its tone, with many commentators describing it as unprofessional coming from a figure who speaks on behalf of the White House.

Jean-Pierre’s Response: “It’s an Honor, Not a Platform for Insults”

On The View, Jean-Pierre took a moment to address that interaction directly, underscoring the importance of mutual respect between government officials and journalists.

“The position of White House Press Secretary is not about doing online trolling. It is not. It is an honor and a privilege to have that job and to speak on behalf of the most powerful person in the world.”

She went on to describe the White House press room as a cornerstone of American democracy — a space where accountability and transparency must coexist, even amid disagreement.

“There is a level of respect for the freedom of the press, even if you disagree with them,” Jean-Pierre said. “That back and forth you see in the briefing room — it shows that we believe in democracy. It shows the world that the press can ask tough questions, and we can answer them with respect.”

She added that while tensions between administrations and journalists are inevitable, civility is essential. “When you attack or mock people personally, you’re not advancing a message — you’re deepening the divide.”

A Warning About Growing Partisanship

Jean-Pierre didn’t limit her criticism to one individual. She framed her comments as part of a larger concern about how political communication in Washington has changed — and, in her view, not for the better.

“It doesn’t help with the partisanship that we’re seeing right now,” she said. “The White House is supposed to represent every American person — every voter, every citizen — not just one side of the aisle.”

Her comments come at a time when public discourse has become increasingly combative, and the line between official communication and personal commentary often feels blurred.

Political observers note that while younger press secretaries may bring a more direct, social-media-driven approach to communication, that style can also risk undermining the professionalism expected from the office.

“Karoline Leavitt represents a new generation of political operatives,” said political analyst Teresa Caldwell. “She’s confident, digital-savvy, and unafraid to confront critics head-on. But with that power comes responsibility — and sometimes the old rules of restraint still matter.”

A Role Defined by Pressure and Visibility

The White House Press Secretary is often described as one of the most demanding jobs in Washington — a role requiring diplomacy, discipline, and near-constant poise. The position demands not only knowledge of policy but also an understanding of tone and perception.

For Jean-Pierre, who became the first Black and openly gay woman to hold the post under President Joe Biden, the responsibility was both historic and personal.

“It was an honor and a privilege to have the job and to have done it for two and a half years,” she told People earlier this year. “But I don’t miss it.”

Jean-Pierre has since stepped away from the daily intensity of the West Wing and turned her focus toward writing and reflection. Her new book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines, explores her time in the administration and her decision to leave the Democratic Party afterward.

“Look, for me, I’m not telling people, ‘Hey, you go become an independent,’” she said in a recent interview with NPR. “But there’s a growing number of people who see themselves that way — especially young people. We have to ask why.”

From the Podium to the Page

Jean-Pierre’s move into authorship comes at a moment when the boundaries between politics, media, and personality are increasingly fluid. Former press secretaries often use their post-White House careers to shape public understanding of government communications — and to weigh in on how the role should evolve.

Her critique of Leavitt, then, is not merely a generational clash. It’s a statement about what the office should represent: stability, accountability, and respect for the institutions that uphold democracy.

In the interview, Jean-Pierre repeatedly returned to the idea of service — the notion that the White House press office belongs to the people, not to any one leader or ideology.

“It’s supposed to be about communication,” she said. “About explaining what the administration is doing and why. When you turn that into insults or trolling, you’re not serving the public — you’re performing for a reaction.”

Two Eras, Two Approaches

As Jean-Pierre and Leavitt continue to embody two distinct eras of political communication — one rooted in tradition, the other in digital immediacy — the contrast is striking.

Jean-Pierre, calm and deliberate, built her reputation on maintaining composure under pressure. Leavitt, quick-witted and unapologetically direct, represents a new kind of media strategy: confrontational, bold, and tuned for viral moments.

Whether that approach resonates or alienates may depend on the audience. But as Jean-Pierre reminded viewers, the lasting measure of the role lies not in online engagement but in trust.

“At the end of the day, people need to feel that their government respects them,” she said. “And that begins with how we communicate.”