AP reporter Josh Boak got more than he bargained for when Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismantled his misleading question about Trump’s tariffs being “tax hikes” with a fiery economic reality check that left the liberal media scrambling.
At a Glance
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confronted AP reporter Josh Boak over an “insulting” question about Trump’s tariff policies
- Boak inaccurately framed tariffs as “tax hikes” contradicting Trump’s tax cut agenda
- Leavitt forcefully clarified that tariffs target foreign countries, not American taxpayers
- The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Associated Press
- Trump’s economic plan includes no taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits
Media Meltdown: Leavitt Schools AP Reporter on Basic Economics
The mainstream media’s economic illiteracy was on full display during a recent White House press briefing when Associated Press reporter Josh Boak tried to catch Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in what he thought was a “gotcha” moment. Boak’s question implied that President Trump’s support for tariffs contradicted his tax-cutting agenda, essentially framing tariffs as tax increases on Americans. Little did he know, Leavitt was ready to deliver an economics lesson that would expose the fundamental dishonesty behind his questioning.
Leavitt didn’t mince words as she immediately interrupted Boak’s leading question, making it clear that tariffs and domestic tax policy are entirely different economic tools. The press secretary’s sharp response highlighted the media’s persistent attempts to mischaracterize Trump’s economic policies by conflating taxes paid by Americans with tariffs designed to level the playing field with foreign competitors who have been exploiting American markets for decades.
JUST IN: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shuts down sassy Associated Press reporter before telling him she regrets letting him ask a question.
Reporter: "I'm sorry. Have you ever paid a tariff? Because I have…"
Leavitt: "I think it's insulting that you're trying to test my… pic.twitter.com/7yJFX0nKRU
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 11, 2025
Tariffs: America First Economics vs. Globalist Propaganda
When Boak tried to counter that tariffs are charged to importers rather than foreign companies, Leavitt exposed the shallow understanding behind the AP’s line of questioning. The press secretary pointed out that tariffs serve a strategic economic purpose – they’re designed to protect American industries, encourage domestic production, and ultimately increase revenues and wages for American workers. This fundamental aspect of Trump’s economic nationalism stands in stark contrast to the globalist free trade policies that have decimated American manufacturing communities.
“He is actually not implementing tax hikes. Tariffs are a tax hike on foreign countries that, again, have been ripping us off. Tariffs are a tax cut for the American people, and the president is a staunch advocate of tax cuts.” – Karoline Leavitt
The confrontation highlighted the crucial distinction between tax policies that directly affect American citizens’ wallets and strategic trade measures designed to rebalance international trade relationships. Leavitt made it crystal clear that President Trump’s economic agenda includes substantial tax relief for hardworking Americans – no taxes on tips, overtime pay, or Social Security benefits – while using tariffs as leverage against foreign competitors who have historically taken advantage of unbalanced trade agreements.
The Associated Press: From Journalism to Activism
This tense exchange didn’t happen in a vacuum. It reflects a deteriorating relationship between what was once considered a trusted news source and an administration determined to call out media bias. The Associated Press, which once prided itself on objective reporting, has increasingly embraced activist journalism, particularly when covering the Trump administration. Previous disputes between the White House and AP, including disagreements over geographical terminology and media access, have created an environment where basic economic facts are distorted to fit a narrative.
The mainstream media’s struggle to understand or accurately represent Trump’s economic approach isn’t new, but it’s become increasingly transparent. Their inability to differentiate between domestic tax policy and international trade strategy reveals either a concerning level of economic ignorance or deliberate misrepresentation. Either way, Leavitt’s forceful response demonstrated the administration’s unwillingness to let such distortions stand unchallenged, especially when they affect issues as central to American prosperity as trade and taxation.
Standing Firm Against Media Manipulation
Leavitt’s no-nonsense approach to correcting the record signals a broader commitment from the Trump administration to challenge the media’s framing of economic issues. Rather than allowing reporters to embed false premises into their questions, the press secretary demonstrated how to effectively counter mischaracterizations in real-time. This exchange provided a perfect example of why the American public increasingly distrusts mainstream media outlets – when basic economic concepts are twisted to score political points, the public interest is not being served.
As the administration continues implementing its America First economic agenda, including strategic tariffs and tax relief for working Americans, we can expect more confrontations with a press corps seemingly determined to undermine policies that prioritize American workers over global interests. Fortunately, in Karoline Leavitt, the White House has found a spokesperson capable of cutting through the economic misinformation with clarity and conviction.
