On a recent episode of “The View,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg directed a fiery message to Karoline Leavitt, the newly appointed White House press secretary. Goldberg criticized Leavitt’s remarks regarding “wokeness” following Leavitt’s first press briefing. During that briefing, Leavitt clarified the administration’s stance on federal grants with a memorandum designed to temporarily block funding for initiatives promoting “wokeness,” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Although a judge has since halted and the administration rescinded the memorandum, Leavitt’s statement stirred controversy among the co-hosts of “The View.”
Goldberg, undeterred by the fact that Leavitt is just 27 and stepping into one of her first significant roles, accused her of lacking understanding. “I would like this young lady… to do a little homework,” Goldberg asserted passionately. “Because she said something yesterday that really pissed me off.” Her ire was aimed at Leavitt’s declaration, “there will be no wokeness here.” Goldberg argued, “Let me explain something to you because without that wokeness, you may not have that job because women were not invited to that table.”
Goldberg claims that “wokeness” played a crucial role in transforming the workforce landscape, adding, “The reason we fought and busted our behinds to make sure that you didn’t have to worry about this,” attributing women’s advancement in representation, particularly at influential “tables,” to the very ideology Leavitt seemed to dismiss.
In what many see as another broadside against the Trump administration, Goldberg advised Leavitt, “So please, please stop using that phrase like you know what you’re talking about because you don’t understand what you’re saying.” In this lecture, Goldberg insisted, “You’re saying about yourself, ‘hey, that’s a terrible thing to be.’ It’s not a terrible thing to be, that’s why we fought,” directly linking activism with women’s empowerment and achievements such as Leavitt achieving her prestigious role.
Not missing a chance to critique further, co-host Joy Behar chipped in, suggesting without substantial basis that Leavitt may have only landed the role because of her appearance. Such talking points are a familiar refrain from mainstream liberal media, which often sidestep policies in favor of personal critiques.
Leavitt, who made history as the youngest serving White House press secretary, distinguished herself by handling her initial press briefing without the customary crutch of a prepared binder. Among other announcements, she decided to allocate briefing room seats traditionally assigned to staff to outlets and independent journalists without an official slot in the room. She also addressed the public’s curiosity surrounding mysterious drones over New Jersey, affirming they had been sanctioned for research purposes.
Supporters argue that Leavitt embodies a new era of communication for the administration, favoring transparency and directness. Her decisiveness is a welcomed approach, reflecting President Trump’s often unyielding stance against institutional norms and his preference for practicality over politically correct posturing.