Karoline Leavitt Dismisses “Frankly Ridiculous” Claims She’s Personally Benefiting from Her Role as Press Secretary

In a press briefing that quickly shifted from routine to direct confrontation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt forcefully addressed circulating rumors that she has used her position for personal or financial benefit—calling the claims “frankly ridiculous” and “insulting to the intelligence of the American people.”

“I find it frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room—or anywhere else—would suggest that I’m in this role for personal gain,” Leavitt said, responding to a pointed question from a network correspondent. “This isn’t about me. It’s about public service.”

The exchange came amid renewed scrutiny of President Trump’s upcoming trip to the Middle East, and broader speculation that members of his inner circle, including Leavitt, may be entangled in overlapping political and business interests.

Leavitt: “I Left My Life to Serve This Country. That’s the Story.”

When pressed further about whether any of Trump’s aides—including herself—stood to benefit from Trump Organization projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Leavitt didn’t hesitate.

“I left my private life, my family, and everything familiar to serve this country—not to enrich myself,” she said. “To even insinuate otherwise is baseless, offensive, and frankly beneath the standards of serious journalism.”

Leavitt, 27, has become a defining voice of the Trump administration’s second term—young, articulate, and unflinching under fire. Her briefings have drawn praise for clarity and discipline, though she’s also faced sharp criticism from establishment press figures who view her tone as combative.

The Context: Trump’s Business Ties in the Region

The allegations surfaced in part due to President Trump’s upcoming diplomatic trip to the Middle East, which includes stops in Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi—cities that also happen to be home to newly announced or developing Trump-branded properties.

The Trump Organization recently unveiled plans for:

Trump Tower Riyadh

A beachfront resort near Doha

A luxury hotel and golf course in Dubai

Though Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., now manage the company, critics argue that the proximity of business and diplomacy raises ethical concerns.

The Pushback: Leavitt Calls Out Double Standards

In defending herself and the administration, Leavitt flipped the narrative back on the media—accusing reporters of hypocrisy for ignoring similar questions about President Biden and his family.

“No one in this room asked those questions when Joe Biden was vice president and his son was collecting checks from overseas companies,” Leavitt said, referring to Hunter Biden’s past business ties. “But when a Republican administration is in office, suddenly the standards change?”

She continued:

“President Trump has actually lost money being in public office. That’s a fact. He left a successful business empire to serve this country—not once, but twice.”

A Broader Message: Public Service, Not Personal Gain

As she concluded the exchange, Leavitt struck a broader tone—framing the entire controversy as a distraction from the issues that matter most to Americans.

“This White House holds itself to the highest ethical standards,” she said. “I’m here to do my job. And that job is serving the American people—not entertaining conspiracy theories about who benefits from what.”

Legacy and Transparency

The scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest is not new for the Trump family. During his first term, President Trump drew criticism for refusing to divest from the Trump Organization—though he did hand over operational control to his adult sons.

Still, ethics watchdogs continue to warn of potential “blending” between public service and private profit.

Leavitt, however, maintains that she has never been involved in any Trump Organization activities, nor does she have any financial stake in the president’s business ventures.

“I’ve never stepped foot in a boardroom, and I have no interest in ever doing so,” she said. “I’m a communicator. A public servant. That’s all.”

Final Word

In a press culture that thrives on innuendo, Karoline Leavitt’s response was unusually direct. Whether her critics are satisfied is another matter. But for now, she’s made her position clear:

No apologies. No hedging.

Just this:

“You can question my politics. But don’t question my integrity.”