By Katherine Tinsley
1:44pm PST, Jan 31, 2025
In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump thanked himself for the rain that occurred in Los Angeles, Calif., after uncontrollable fires caused billions of dollars in damage. Leavitt later co-signed Trump's stance in her first White House press conference.
"The Army Corps of Engineers has been on the ground in California to respond to the devastation from these wildfires," she said.
"And I would point out that just days after President Trump visited, the devastation from these fires, the water was turned on," she continued. "That is because of the pressure campaign he put on state and local officials there who clearly lack all common sense."
In a Tuesday, January 28, episode of
Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the late-night host pointed out that Leavitt and Trump's claims weren't factual.
"This might be worse than when [Trump] made
Sean Spicer say he had the biggest inauguration crowd in history," Kimmel told his audience.
"Whether or not the U.S. military entered California and turned the water on is not a matter of debate," Kimmel continued. "This is not liberal versus conservative. It didn't happen, OK?"
Kimmel later threw jabs at Leavitt's qualifications.
"That, by the way, was the new White House press secretary," he said after playing a clip of the New Hampshire native speaking. "She's 27 years old. She's the youngest press secretary ever. She's married to a much older real estate magnate, which, you know, in that case you're hired."
"Leavitt is now the ringleader at the White House, where she promised a new and more circus-like atmosphere going forward," he noted.
The television personality later discussed Leavitt's request for certain people to apply for press credentials.
"We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House," Leavitt stated.
Kimmel then quipped: "This is going to be interesting. They're about to open the White House to pro-Trump influencers and content creators."
"And I'll take one question from FJerry and two from the Rizzler, OK?" he joked.
On Truth Social, Trump assured his loyal followers that he used his power as president to end the natural disaster on the West Coast.
"The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond," he wrote. "The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!"
While Leavitt continues to speak on behalf of the president, Instagram users don't seem to approve of her work.
"The honor of a lifetime," the mother-of-one wrote in an Instagram caption.
"Girl, you took this job and you've never even read the constitution," one user commented. "What an absolute joke."
"You do understand the constitution defines what is constitutional right? And NOT whatever the personal beliefs of the current administration are," another added, referring to the Trump administration's plans to end birthright citizenship.
