Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down as White House press secretary this summer, is facing criticism from inside the MAGA movement after describing Donald Trump’s private meetings with world leaders on Sean Hannity’s podcast. The sharpest attack came from Newsmax host Greg Kelly, who accused her on X of betraying both the president and the country. newsner
The interview gave rare detail about how Trump deals with foreign leaders when the cameras are off. Some listeners welcomed that. Others, Kelly included, think a former spokesperson should have kept it to herself.
What Karoline Leavitt said about the Starmer lunch
Speaking on “Hang Out with Sean Hannity,” Leavitt described a lunch she attended with Trump and Keir Starmer. She said the setting was relaxed and pleasant until the president turned on his host. According to Leavitt, Trump called Starmer’s policies stupid to his face, told him Britain should close its borders and deport migrants, and claimed the British people were unhappy with his government. newsnernewsner
That account will draw particular attention in the UK. Starmer served as prime minister from July 2024 until July 2026 and was succeeded by Andy Burnham. He resigned after losing the support of Labour MPs and later announced he would leave Parliament as well. Wikipediaqatar-tribune
Leavitt did not present the story as a scandal. She used it to make a broader point about her former boss. In her view, Trump treats allies and rivals the same way, and his private remarks match what he tells reporters. She argued that much of what he says behind closed doors ends up in public anyway, because he is blunt by nature. newsner
She also said that although Trump swears a lot in general, he stays direct and professional on calls with foreign leaders that run through interpreters. She touched as well on tense phone calls with foreign advisers. newsnernewsner
Trump, Xi and the soybean deal
Leavitt offered one example she said showed the approach working. She recalled Trump pushing Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a meeting in South Korea, to buy more American soybeans to help US farmers. According to Leavitt, China followed through after the meeting. newsner
The story played well with Hannity’s audience. Soybeans have been a sore point for American farmers during the trade fight with Beijing, and Trump has often pointed to Chinese purchases as proof that his pressure tactics pay off.
Newsmax host calls it a ‘breach of trust’
Not everyone on the right was impressed. On September 27, Greg Kelly posted a furious message on X accusing Leavitt of gossiping about private meetings between the president and world leaders now that she no longer holds the job. He called her behavior “A BREACH of Trust” and described her as immature. newsner
Kelly also pointed to the timing, noting that the country is deep in the midterm campaign. Americans vote on November 3, and a story about internal disloyalty is the kind of distraction a party does not want five weeks out. newsner
Kelly’s criticism reflects a long-standing tension in politics. Former aides who talk about their time inside the White House often face accusations of betrayal, even when what they say is flattering to the president. Leavitt’s comments were largely supportive of Trump, but critics like Kelly argue that private diplomacy should stay private regardless.
A short but high-profile run
Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in history when she took the job in January 2025 at the age of 27. She quickly became one of the most recognizable faces of Trump’s second term.
Her departure became public in August, less than a month after she returned from maternity leave following the birth of her second child. At the time, Trump said on Truth Social that he understood and respected her decision, and praised her as one of the best press secretaries the office has had. newsnernewsner
That warm send-off makes the current row more notable. The loudest criticism of her interview has come not from the president’s opponents but from his own supporters in conservative media.
At the time of writing, neither Trump nor Leavitt had responded publicly to Kelly’s post. newsner
Source credit
Original report: Newsner (en.newsner.com). Additional background on Keir Starmer: public records.
