Did Karoline Leavitt Take a Break After Trump’s 'Terrible Job' Jibe? Here's What We Know

In a recent lighthearted jibe, President Donald Trump told White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that she was doing a “terrible job” when the former sat down with reporters to discuss his negative news coverage.

Days after this incident, it appears that Leavitt took a temporary break from her role as the White House press secretary. Her recent social media activity suggests that she decided to spend time with her family over the past weekend, away from the media spotlight.

The 28-year-old White House press secretary spent Sunday, April 5, at the Trump National Golf Club in Washington, DC. She also shared a few pictures from her Easter weekend as part of her Instagram stories, reports the Irish Star. One of the pictures featured her son Nicholas ‘Niko’ Robert Riccio, who was seen playing with his Easter bunny.

Leavitt and her family’s Easter break comes just a few days after President Trump’s comments on the press secretary. According to the president, who did not provide any sources for his claim, he receives about 96 to 97 percent bad press. Leavitt was then singled out by President Trump, who told her, “You're doing a terrible job.”

After President Trump’s “terrible job” comment grabbed the headlines, the White House put out a statement and clarified that the president had made the remark only as a joke. Regardless, multiple outlets interpreted the moment as President Trump shifting the blame for his negative coverage and falling ratings on Leavitt.

Speaking of falling ratings, the president does not fare well in recent popularity polls, thanks to his war on Iran – which has not only caused oil prices to shoot up, but has also hurt the president’s image among his supporters’ base.

President Trump’s rating has taken a massive hit, and polls also suggest that his military operation in Iran has become largely unpopular with the American people. Further, the ongoing war in the Middle East has caused oil prices to shoot up around the world. Americans are already facing gas prices as high as $4 a gallon. This has caused many to forgo personal transportation for public commutes.

President Trump has acknowledged the crisis caused by rising fuel prices, and called it a necessary sacrifice for long term peace and stability. This comes as the president talked about controlling the Strait of Hormuz jointly with Iran, a suggestion that the Middle Eastern regime dismissed publicly.

They have also called out President Trump and his administration for releasing false news of negotiations to control oil prices.

While the president insists that negotiations are well underway and that they are close to a peace deal, the Iranian regime has continued to challenge U.S. claims. Neighboring countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have also found themselves pulled into the conflict. Iran has been largely looking to halt oil shipments to the United States in a bid to make the cost of the war unjustifiable for President Trump and his allies.