Karoline Leavitt has gone from scooping ice cream in a small New Hampshire town to standing on the White House stage as one of the most prominent young voices in the Trump political movement.

Once an aspiring journalist, Leavitt is now a fierce critic of the mainstream media and a rising Gen Z star in conservative politics. But her latest jab at President Joe Biden has stirred controversy, with critics accusing her of being “disrespectful” and “immature.”

The controversy erupted after former President Joe Biden made a rare public appearance to speak about Social Security. But it wasn’t Biden’s message that dominated headlines—it was Leavitt’s mocking remark that drew the most attention.

At just 27, Leavitt holds the title of the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history—and she didn’t hold back. When asked about Biden’s speech, she said:

“My initial thought when I saw former President Biden was coming tonight was, ‘I’m surprised he’s speaking at night. I assumed his bedtime was much sooner than his speech tonight.’”

The age-related dig quickly went viral, drawing both applause and outrage online.

While Leavitt later pivoted to policy, defending Donald Trump’s record on protecting Social Security, many weren’t ready to move past the perceived disrespect.

“President Donald Trump is completely committed to defending Social Security payments for law-abiding, tax-paying Americans and seniors who have paid into this program,” she said. “He safeguarded it during his first term, and he’ll do it again.”

Still, critics weren’t satisfied.

Social Media Reacts: “Classless” and “Childish”

Facebook and Instagram lit up with critical comments.

“Very rude.”
“Classless. Shame on you.”
“What’s your husband’s age, again?” one commenter wrote, referencing Leavitt’s husband, who is reportedly more than 30 years her senior.

Even some of her supporters expressed disappointment:

“She usually does a good job, but this was a step too far.”
“There’s a difference between being bold and being disrespectful.”

Biden Fires Back with Substance

Meanwhile, Biden used his appearance at a national conference on disability advocacy in Chicago to call out threats to Social Security.

“They want to let Social Security expire every five years unless Congress reapproves it. Who the hell do they think they are?” Biden asked.

He defended his administration’s efforts to reduce wait times and improve service at the Social Security Administration while slamming Trump-era policies and proposed data-sharing efforts—some tied to Elon Musk’s controversial “Government Efficiency” initiative.

Attorney Jason Turkish, who represents tens of thousands of disabled clients, said trust in the program is wearing thin.

“Social Security used to be untouchable,” Turkish said. “That’s no longer the case.”

Still, he praised recent reforms and called them a “hopeful sign.”

The Bigger Picture: Respect vs. Rhetoric

Biden ended his speech with a familiar call for unity and patriotism, echoing his farewell message earlier this year:

“I still believe in this country. I love America. You love it, too. God bless you. And may God protect our troops.”

As political battles over Social Security heat up, Leavitt’s comment has sparked a broader conversation: Is this just blunt honesty, or has political discourse become too coarse?

Whether you see Leavitt as brave or brash, her remark has struck a nerve—and reignited the culture war that continues to shape American politics.