Trump’s Tariff Triumph: How Karoline Leavitt Silenced the AP’s Economic Misinformation
In yet another fiery exchange between the Trump administration and the mainstream media, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt firmly pushed back against what she deemed an “insulting” question from an Associated Press reporter attempting to challenge her grasp of economics.
During Tuesday’s press briefing, AP’s Josh Boak attempted to frame President Donald Trump’s tariff policies as a “tax hike” contradicting his previously touted tax cuts. However, Leavitt was quick to correct the misleading narrative, exposing the media’s repeated attempts to misrepresent Trump’s economic strategies.
Exposing the False Narrative
Boak pointed out that Trump had praised tax cuts at the 2024 Business Roundtable (BRT) meeting, yet now appeared to be promoting tariffs, which he misleadingly equated with tax hikes. Before he could finish, Leavitt shut down the claim with a sharp, “Not true.”
“He is actually not implementing tax hikes,” Leavitt clarified. “Tariffs are a tax hike on foreign countries that, again, have been ripping us off. Tariffs are a tax cut for the American people, and the president is a staunch advocate of tax cuts.”
She went on to remind the room that Trump has committed to eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits—massive wins for everyday Americans that the mainstream media conveniently ignores.
The AP’s Economic Fallacy
Not willing to concede, Boak fired back, claiming that tariffs do not tax foreign nations, but rather importers. Leavitt, unshaken, responded with a powerful explanation of how Trump’s tariffs ensure fair trade and ultimately boost American wages and economic growth.
“When we have fair and balanced trade, which the American people have not seen in decades, revenues will stay here, wages will go up, and our country will be made wealthy again,” Leavitt stated.
As Boak continued his line of questioning, Leavitt recognized the AP’s game—an attempt to undermine her knowledge and credibility. She swiftly dismissed the insult.
“And I think it’s insulting that you are trying to test my knowledge of economics and the decisions that this president has made. I now regret giving a question to the Associated Press,” she declared, before moving on to another reporter.
AP’s Feud With the Trump White House
The exchange is only the latest in the growing tensions between the Trump administration and the AP. Earlier this year, the White House took the unprecedented step of barring the AP from the Oval Office and Air Force One due to the organization’s refusal to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
AP spokesperson Lauren Easton attempted to frame the restriction as an attack on press freedom, but many saw it as an overdue response to the AP’s persistent misinformation and anti-Trump bias.
Meanwhile, even New York Times columnist Bret Stephens admitted sympathy for the administration’s decision, acknowledging that the media often operates with a clear double standard when it comes to Trump.
Trump’s Economic Vision: America First
Despite the media’s attempts to twist the truth, President Trump remains committed to policies that prioritize American workers and businesses. His tariffs are not “tax hikes”—they are a strategic economic weapon to level the playing field, bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., and make the nation stronger.
As Leavitt masterfully demonstrated, the Trump administration will not tolerate economic misinformation or media narratives designed to mislead the American people. With Trump at the helm, the days of America being “ripped off” are over. It’s America First—now and always.
