Karoline Leavitt's Press Secretary Transition Highlights Her Evolving Stance on January 6th
Karoline Leavitt, who is set to become Donald Trump's White House press secretary, is under scrutiny for her shifting views on the events of January 6, 2021. Just after the Capitol riot, she posted support for then-Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to certify the 2020 election results, but now embraces election-denial rhetoric.
Leavitt, at the age of 23, had recently departed from Trump's White House press office when she took to social media to address the unprecedented events of the day. On January 7, 2021, she shared posts on Twitter—now X—commending Pence for calling the Capitol riot “a dark day” as he oversaw the electoral certification. Her posts included praise for Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, who directed rioters away from the Senate chamber, referring to him as "a hero." The support she showed for both Pence and Goodman was notable, particularly as Trump himself later criticized Pence for his actions during the day.
Leavitt's narrative, though, has taken a distinct turn over the last few years. Despite her initial reactions to the January 6 events, she ran for Congress from New Hampshire under the banner of staunch support for Trump's claims of election fraud. She continuously asserted her belief—despite no evidence supporting such claims—that "there is absolutely no way" Joe Biden legitimately won 81 million votes. Her transformation from spirited critic of the Capitol riot to aligning with the election-denial movement mirrors a broader pattern among several of Trump’s former associates, who initially disavowed the events of January 6 before later embracing Trump's narrative.
During her 2022 campaign for New Hampshire's congressional seat, she was forthright about her beliefs: "I’m the only candidate to say President Trump won the 2020 election, and I’ll do my utmost to get to the bottom of it," she said at the time. She went on to lose the general election to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas by nearly 10%. Leavitt’s campaign rhetoric contrasted starkly with the remarks she made shortly after the Capitol insurrection.
Her post-campaign career led her back to Trump's circle, culminating with her recent appointment as press secretary. Critics point out the stark contradictions between her earlier criticisms of the January 6 events and her current alignment with Trump’s base, which has become increasingly entrenched in the election-denial narrative. Critics have voiced concerns about her ability to uphold democratic integrity, citing fluctuations between her previous stance and present-day views.
While Leavitt seeks to cement her place within Trump's reassembled inner circle, the deletion of her older posts fuels concerns about political opportunism and the authenticity of her beliefs. The extensive public documentation of her prior comments, along with her clear pivot toward election denial, raises questions about her motivations and dedication to the role of press secretary.
Trump expressed approval of Leavitt's appointment, describing her as "smart," "tough," and "effective." He sees her as someone who can effectively communicate his agenda as he reclaims the White House following his time out of power. Her appointment indicates not only her ascent within the ranks of Trump's loyalists but also reinforces continuing themes of transformation and denial within the Republican narrative surrounding the 2020 election.
Looking forward, Leavitt faces the challenge of reconciling her previously expressed views with the hardline stances expected by Trump's supporters, all under the public microscope as she steps back once again onto the national stage. Her saga is emblematic of the broader grappling within the Republican Party as it continues to navigate the tumultuous waters charted by Trump's divisive influence.