Trump’s Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a powerful defense of American heritage as she flatly rejected a French politician’s suggestion to return the Statue of Liberty. The fiery exchange highlighted growing tensions between the administration and traditional media organizations, with Leavitt also confirming she will boycott the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as part of a broader effort to reform press access.

Leavitt Stands Firm on American Heritage

During a recent White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was directly asked if President Trump would consider returning the Statue of Liberty to France, following comments from a French politician. Her decisive response emphasized the statue’s importance as a symbol of Franco-American partnership and shared values of freedom, highlighting the Trump administration’s commitment to preserving American heritage and traditions.

The exchange came amid growing tensions between the Trump administration and traditional media outlets, with the administration working to reshape White House press access. Leavitt’s stance reflects President Trump’s broader policy of protecting American symbols and history from those who would attempt to diminish their significance or rewrite their meaning.

Press Corps Relationship Continues to Deteriorate

In a significant development that underscores the strained relationship with mainstream media, Leavitt announced she will boycott the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Her announcement came during an appearance on Sean Spicer’s podcast, where she characterized the WHCA as “a monetized monopoly over the White House and the coverage of the president of the United States in America.”

Karoline Leavitt stuns White House press with major break of tradition https://t.co/BIhK92tHaK
Only tradition she exhibits is taking care of herself at the cost of truth, facts, and honesty.
Some souls are not worth much to their owner.

— BDM (@Sentinel0764) March 17, 2025

The WHCA dinner, often called the “Oscars of Washington,” has been a tradition since 1914, with almost every president since Calvin Coolidge attending at least once. President Trump broke this tradition during his first term, refusing to attend an event where he believed he would face unfair treatment from a hostile press corps, a stance now reinforced by his press secretary’s decision.

Trump Administration Expands Media Access

The Trump White House has implemented sweeping changes to the traditional press pool system, taking control from the WHCA to expand access for independent and conservative journalists. Under Leavitt’s leadership, the press office has received over 15,000 applications for new media seats, part of what she describes as an effort to “democratize” access to the president beyond the establishment media organizations that have dominated coverage for decades.

“We thought it was time to expand the coverage and determine who gets to be part of that 13-person press pool, who gets to ask the president of the United States questions in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One,” Leavitt stated. These changes have led to significant pushback from traditional media outlets, with the Associated Press filing a lawsuit after being temporarily barred from the press pool for refusing to adopt Trump’s executive order on media access.

WHCA board president Eugene Daniels has criticized the administration’s approach, claiming it “tears at the independence of a free press in the United States.” The ongoing dispute represents a fundamental difference in vision for press freedom, with the Trump administration favoring a more diverse and inclusive approach that gives voice to alternative perspectives previously excluded from White House coverage.

Sources:

Karoline Leavitt follows Trump’s footsteps in boycotting annual dinner Obama brutally roasted him at – Irish Star

Karoline Leavitt says she’ll skip White House Correspondents’ Association dinner

Karoline Leavitt says she won’t attend White House Correspondents’ Association dinner

Karoline Leavitt stuns White House press corps with another major break from tradition | Daily Mail Online