White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and CNN's Kaitlan Collins clashed at a briefing over affordability and a Trump remark urging parents to limit toy purchases before Christmas. Collins questioned why that advice would come if the economy is strong; Leavitt framed the comment as a "buy American" message and defended tariffs while citing improving metrics and lower inflation as her interpretation. The exchange grew heated when Leavitt accused previous communications officials of downplaying problems and refused a follow-up question about Venezuela.
Leavitt and Collins Clash Over Economy: Toy Advice, Tariffs and Inflation Ignite Heated White House Exchange
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins engaged in a heated exchange Thursday at a White House briefing over rising living costs and a recent remark by President Donald Trump about holiday shopping.
Collins pressed: "If the economy is as strong as the president has said it is, why is he telling parents two weeks before Christmas that they should only buy two or three dolls for their children?"
Leavitt responded that the president's comment was intended to promote reshoring and support for American manufacturing: "The president is saying, if we want products made in America, made from American small businesses... maybe you'll pay a dollar or two more, but you will be getting better quality and supporting your fellow Americans by buying Americans."
Turning to the broader affordability debate, Leavitt challenged Collins's framing: "Again, with respect to affordability, every metric, Kaitlyn — and I wish you would report more on it — that the economy is getting better and brighter than what it was under the previous administration."
Collins pushed back, noting higher grocery costs and mixed signals in everyday spending. Leavitt countered by citing falling inflation figures under the Trump administration and saying he had "clawed us out of this hole" she attributed to the Biden presidency; her comments were presented as her account of the economic data.
The exchange became more pointed when Leavitt criticized earlier White House communications for downplaying problems. "My predecessor stood up at this podium and she said inflation doesn't exist. She said the border was secure! And people like you just took her at her word, and those were utter lies," Leavitt said.
When Collins attempted a follow-up question about Venezuela, Leavitt interrupted and said, "I'm not going to take your follow-up." The back-and-forth was recorded and the clip was circulated by Fox News; the original story appeared on Mediaite.
Note: This article reports the exchange and attributes claims made by participants rather than endorsing disputed policy assertions.
