During a sharp exchange in the White House Press Briefing, White House Press Secretary Kaitlin Collins clashed with CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins over the state of the economy. The tension escalated as Collins sought to challenge Leavitt, framing a question intended to put the president in a negative light. She asked, “If the economy is as strong as the President has said it is, then why is he telling parents two weeks before Christmas that they should only buy two or three dolls for their children?”
Leavitt countered by asserting that Collins was misinterpreting the context of the president’s comments. “What the President is saying is that if we want products made right here in America… we’re going to have better quality products,” she explained. Leavitt emphasized the importance of supporting American businesses and hinted that an increase in prices reflects the value of American-made goods. “Maybe you’ll pay $1 or $2 more, but you will get better quality, and you’ll be supporting your fellow Americans,” she stated.
Leavitt then pointed to economic improvements under the current administration, arguing that inflation had decreased significantly. She stated, “Again, with respect to affordability, every economic metric… does show that the economy is getting better.” She cited tangible improvements, noting, “Gas prices are down in almost every single state across the country,” and highlighted positive trends such as rising real wages.
In response to Leavitt’s claims, Collins noted the rising grocery prices, suggesting uncertainty about the overall economic outlook. Leavitt interjected, firmly stating, “This is down from what the president inherited… today, it’s at about 2.5%.” She underscored the administration’s success in reducing inflation from its peak during the previous administration.
Collins attempted to downplay the significance of the improvement, saying, “Nobody is saying it wasn’t high under Biden. They’re just saying virtually [unchanged].” This remark brought an immediate rebuttal from Leavitt, who countered, “Nobody reported on it being high under Biden,” implying a lack of scrutiny over previous claims made by the past administration.
In a pointed commentary, Leavitt remarked, “Everything I’m telling you is the truth backed by real factual data.” She contrasted her current role with that of her predecessor, who allegedly downplayed economic issues. This exchange illustrates a vigorous defense of the administration’s economic policies, highlighting contrasting perspectives on how these issues are reported and understood.
Ultimately, the back-and-forth between the two reporters reflects a broader dialogue about economic perception and reporting. While Leavitt expressed optimism about the trajectory of the economy, Collins pointed to mixed signals, illustrating the complexity of interpreting economic data in a politically charged environment.
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