Karoline Leavitt: six key takeaways from 20 months as Trump’s press secretary | US news
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-08-12 17:19:00 — www.theguardian.com
Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary Defends President’s Record on Epstein, Transparency
As scrutiny intensified over Donald Trump’s past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the president’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, took to the White House podium to defend Trump’s conduct and the administration’s handling of related documents. When asked about an email in which Epstein described Trump as the “dog that hasn’t barked,” Leavitt insisted, “These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong.” She further claimed that the Trump administration “has done more with respect to transparency when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein than any administration ever,” as pressure mounted for greater openness regarding documents tied to Epstein.
Leavitt’s statements reflect the administration’s broader approach to questions about Trump’s controversial associations and the demand for transparency. Despite mounting questions and public concern, the administration has consistently maintained that Trump bears no wrongdoing in his interactions with Epstein, and has positioned itself as more transparent than previous administrations on the matter.
The press secretary’s defense comes amid a series of contentious exchanges with the media and ongoing legal and public scrutiny of the administration’s record. As the White House faces calls for more accountability, Leavitt’s remarks underscore the administration’s strategy of denying any misconduct by Trump and asserting unprecedented transparency—claims that continue to be challenged by critics and fact-checkers.
In summary, the Trump administration’s response to questions about Epstein highlights its pattern of dismissing allegations, asserting innocence, and claiming superior transparency, even as demands for further disclosure persist.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/12/karoline-leavitt-resignation-takeaways