In her highly anticipated first White House press briefing, newly appointed Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt found herself under scrutiny from CNN, with the network’s fact-checker Daniel Dale accusing the 27-year-old of “spinning” information. The criticism came after Leavitt addressed the freeze on federal grants and loans, where she reassured reporters that payments for essential services like Social Security and Medicare would remain unaffected, but left questions about nonprofit programs such as Meals on Wheels unanswered.

Dale, known for his thorough analysis, called out the omission, saying it was a classic example of “spin” rather than providing clarity. While Leavitt’s handling of the pause on federal funding was contentious, the conversation quickly shifted to a broader issue of transparency and accountability, especially regarding the impact on nonprofit organizations that rely on federal funds.

CNN has baptized new White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, as a ‘spinmeister’

Leavitt’s first briefing also marked significant changes to the White House press dynamics. She announced a shake-up, creating “new media” seats for independent journalists, influencers, and content creators—an effort to diversify the press pool and break from the traditional media outlets that have long been given priority. The announcement was part of her pledge to restore transparency and hold the media accountable for misinformation.

Leavitt’s tenure has already proven to be polarizing, as she emphasizes transparency and challenges the press, while also facing fierce criticism from those questioning her responses. Her approach to the briefing, including her candid stance on immigration and the deportation of illegal immigrants, has sparked debates across the political spectrum. Her comments, such as labeling all illegal immigrants as criminals, stirred further controversy, adding to the already tense relationship between the White House and the press.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared photographs of deported illegal immigrants that listed the previous crimes that they committed

As Leavitt settles into her role, it’s clear that her tenure will be marked by her willingness to confront both the media and policy issues head-on. Whether or not she can avoid further scrutiny from outlets like CNN remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—she’s not backing down.