During a tense White House press briefing on Tuesday, an Associated Press reporter
pushed Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s patience to the limit by questioning her directly about tariffs. The exchange quickly became heated, highlighting ongoing friction between the White House and the media, as well as the growing tensions surrounding economic policy and the stock market’s recent struggles.
The contentious moment occurred as the stock market faced significant declines, reflecting
widespread uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s economic policies, particularly his tariff strategy. Meanwhile, the administration found itself embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the press over the naming of the ‘Gulf of America,’ a term Trump has insisted on using in place of ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ This disagreement led the White House to exclude the Associated Press from pooled visits to the Oval Office and trips on Air Force One, further straining relations.
The briefing took a more personal turn when Leavitt called on Josh Boak, the AP reporter, who wasted no time in challenging her on the administration’s economic stance. He questioned the rationale behind Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs while preparing to deliver a speech at the Business Roundtable. His inquiry centered on the contradiction between Trump’s advocacy for tax cuts and the economic burden tariffs place on businesses and consumers.
“Trump is going to the Business Roundtable today while proposing tax hikes in the form of tariffs,” Boak began. “I’m curious—why is he prioritizing this over tax cuts?” His question echoed concerns expressed by business leaders and financial analysts who warned that tariffs could destabilize the market and slow economic growth.
Leavitt, not allowing him to finish, quickly interjected. “That’s not true—he’s not doing that,” she shot back. “Tariffs are not a tax hike on the American people. They are a tax cut because they force foreign countries that have been exploiting the U.S. for years to pay their fair share. The President remains a staunch advocate for tax cuts.”
Unfazed by her response, Boak pressed further, attempting to challenge her knowledge on the subject. “I’m sorry, but have you ever paid a tariff? Because I have,” he countered, aiming to highlight the economic reality that tariffs are not directly paid by foreign companies but by importers, who often pass those costs onto American consumers.
Initially, Leavitt responded with a broad policy argument. “Ultimately, when we have fair and balanced trade—something the American people have not seen in decades—revenues will remain here, wages will increase, and our nation will become stronger and more prosperous,” she stated. While some economists agree with the administration’s position that tariffs can boost domestic production, many others argue that they risk increasing inflation, slowing growth, and escalating trade disputes.
However, the conversation quickly turned more confrontational. Leavitt’s patience appeared to wear thin, and she took offense at Boak’s challenge. “I think it’s insulting that you’re trying to test my knowledge of economics and question the decisions this President has made,” she said firmly. “I now regret giving a question to the Associated Press.”
Following the exchange, White House Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields took to social media to voice his discontent. “@joshboak = activist NOT journalist,” he posted on X, making it clear that tensions remained high even after the briefing ended.
The debate over tariffs remains a divisive issue. Economists generally agree that while the administration claims tariffs will strengthen American industry, in reality, importers often pass the added costs onto consumers, raising prices on everyday goods. Trump and his advisors, however, argue that the policy will ultimately revitalize domestic manufacturing, ushering in what they call a new ‘Golden Age’ for the U.S. economy.
The fiery press room exchange reflected broader tensions between the Trump administration and Canadian officials. Trump, along with Leavitt, has repeatedly asserted that Canada should become a U.S. state, a statement that has sparked widespread criticism. The trade dispute escalated further when Ontario announced an electricity tax on exports to the U.S., prompting a swift and aggressive response from Trump. “They will pay a financial price for this so big that it will be read about in history books for many years to come!” he declared.
However, shortly after the press briefing, the White House announced that Ontario had backed down. Trump’s threat to impose a 50 percent tariff on Canadian goods was ultimately withdrawn after Ontario Premier Doug Ford personally reached out to U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick to rescind the tax. White House spokesman Kush Desai framed the development as a major victory for Trump’s economic strategy. “President Trump has once again used the leverage of the American economy, which is the best and biggest in the world, to deliver a win for the American people,” Desai stated.
Despite this apparent diplomatic victory, Wall Street remained unimpressed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day down 1.14 percent, while the S&P 500 also fell by three-quarters of a percent. This marked yet another difficult trading day following what had already been the worst week of the year for markets.
As the tariff battle continues, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s economic gamble will pay off or whether skepticism from financial experts, journalists, and global trade partners will prove justified. For now, the clash between the White House and the press, as well as the broader economic uncertainty, shows no sign of easing.
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