White House Press Secretary Accuses Reporter of Bias

On Monday, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt accused HuffPost correspondent SV Date of engaging in “left-wing hacking” that repeatedly overwhelms her phone with messages. This accusation followed Date sharing questions sent to her by a reporter.

Date had texted Leavitt last week, asking if she thought it was significant that President Trump planned to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest to discuss peace negotiations. The inquiry referenced the historical context, noting that Budapest was the site of a key agreement in 1994, which involved Russia’s commitment to relinquish nuclear weapons in exchange for Ukraine’s assurance against military or economic aggression.

“Who suggested Budapest?” Date asked, pressing the question further. Leavitt’s response was somewhat curt, saying, “Your mother did that.”

In a follow-up, Date asked if the line of questioning was of interest to her. Leavitt shot back, expressing disbelief at his self-perception as a “diary,” while also labeling him a “far-left hack” whose reputation, she contended, was not taken seriously by his own peers in the media.

She requested that he stop sending her what she deemed “dishonest, biased, and aggressive questions.” This exchange drew significant attention after HuffPost published a piece on how the White House reacted to Date’s inquiries.

In context, Leavitt noted on X that Date wasn’t a journalist focused on facts, but rather a “left-wing hack” who had consistently criticized Trump over the years, calling his communications with her mere Democratic rhetoric.

She urged readers to consider Date’s output as resembling an “anti-Trump personal diary,” critiquing the phenomenon of activists posing as journalists and suggesting this undermines the integrity of the profession.

Date continued to engage Leavitt about the Budapest summit in the same thread, sarcastically asking if she felt better and if she could provide answers. Meanwhile, other officials from the Trump administration appeared to echo Leavitt’s sentiments regarding Date’s conduct.

Date’s article, published later that night, also included commentary on the tie worn by Army Secretary Pete Hegseth during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to the White House. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell humorously remarked, “Your mom bought it for him. It’s a patriotic American tie, idiot.”