President Donald Trump is facing new criticism after an uncomfortable attempt at complimenting White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“She’s become a star,” he told Newsmax on Friday. “It’s that face. It’s that brain. It’s those lips, the way they move. They move like she’s a machine gun.”
He also said: “I don’t think anybody has ever had a better press secretary than Karoline.”
Leavitt, 27, made history earlier this year as the youngest White House press secretary. But in the months since, she has perhaps become better known for her wildly over-the-top praise of the president.
She has at least twice, for example, demanded that Trump be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
But it’s the very specific compliment about her lips that has Trump’s critics cringing.
They fired back on X, formerly Twitter:
“She’s (Karoline Leavitt) become a star. It’s that face. It’s that brain. It’s those lips. The way they move.” – Donald Trump
????????????????
pic.twitter.com/ewUiCcgKUM
— Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) August 2, 2025
“That face. Those lips, the way they move.” Creepy, sexist Trump gushes over his press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s looks. pic.twitter.com/QJjuGGiTNR
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) August 2, 2025
the way her lips move – donald john trumppic.twitter.com/A5b0naiSkl
when you think things can’t get creepierhe takes it up a couple notches
— Ralynn (@Ralynn969) August 2, 2025
Uh, release the Epstein files. Now! https://t.co/IaNvJIRunT
— Nanette D. Barragán (@RepBarragan) August 2, 2025
This definitely sounds like something Jeffrey Epstein’s best friend would say https://t.co/uMseOl58nR
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 2, 2025
Totally not convinced that *this* guy is in the Epstein files. https://t.co/7JjFHpnsIl
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) August 2, 2025
In any other place in the country this would be blatant workplace sexual harassment. Who talks like this about their staff? https://t.co/PlVRmNCN8y
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) August 2, 2025
It isn’t creepy at all that the president is admiring his 20-something, blond press secretary for “those lips, the way they move.” https://t.co/s5O1rVPz2q
— Glenn Craven 🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦🌻 (@GlennCraven) August 3, 2025
He’s. Just. So. Creepy.
— RandomWhiteGuy (@TheReelRandom) August 2, 2025
Wonder why the Epstein story won’t go away for him https://t.co/v0LK4e0B9e
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) August 2, 2025
How disgusting and perverted @POTUS. How can you talk about your WH Press Secretary, @PressSec in that manner? You are dangerously close IF NOT breaking Sexual Harassment Laws according to @USDOL and the Office of Personnel Management. This is considered a High Crime and…
— Jeffrey Lemberger (@Jefflemberger34) August 2, 2025
That is super creepy…
— CatherineFromMA (@Catheri16757657) August 2, 2025
She’s his staff. A federal worker.
He just, indirectly, sexually harassed her.
Wtf. https://t.co/ZbaWrP4zPJ
— Jac 🇺🇸🇺🇦💙 (@JacDalAM) August 2, 2025
It’s amazing how his ‘super Christian-y’ base just love that he’s such a creepy old pervert. https://t.co/jP9cQ6GjLu
— Polly Sigh (@dcpoll) August 2, 2025
