Trump’s joke about Karoline Leavitt 'loving her children more' sparks backlash

President Donald Trump reacted to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s planned departure with a joke about her decision to spend more time with her children.

During an interview with Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams, Trump was asked whether Leavitt could be replaced.

He praised her performance, saying she had done a “great job,” before joking that he was “very concerned” after finding out she “likes her children more than she likes Trump.”

Leavitt announced last week that she would step down at the end of August to focus on her young family.

The U.S. President has praised her as one of the best press secretaries and said she would remain involved as an outside adviser.

Trump also appeared to float McAdams as a possible successor during the interview, asking the Fox News correspondent if she would consider taking over the White House briefing room podium.

The exchange quickly attracted attention online. While some viewers saw Trump’s comment as characteristic humor, others criticized the joke for making Leavitt’s decision to prioritize her family part of a public punchline.