logo
Karoline Leavitt's Change in Appearance Comes Under Scrutiny

Karoline Leavitt's Change in Appearance Comes Under Scrutiny

Newsweek08-07-2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Karoline Leavitt's change in appearance has attracted scrutiny from online commentators.
The White House press secretary was pictured without her cross necklace while speaking about Jeffrey Epstein, sparking conspiracy theories about her intentions.
Why It Matters
Leavitt has been outspoken about her faith. She has worn a cross necklace in multiple press briefings as well as TV interviews. In a February interview with The New York Post, Leavitt said: "My Christian faith is a huge part of my life. My faith, my marriage, my family life - it's everything to me."
What To Know
Some social media users baselessly suggested Leavitt's choice to wear a necklace or not coincide with her talking about the Jeffrey Epstein files.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gives remarks during a press briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington DC, on Monday July 7, 2025. The White House announced...
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gives remarks during a press briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington DC, on Monday July 7, 2025. The White House announced it will further delay reciprocal tariffs until August 1. More
Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images
Trump's administration ordered a review of the case with a view to the publication of names and evidence about the associates of Epstein, a wealthy financier who died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. However, a memo by the Department of Justice and the F.B.I. now states there is no "client list," and there will be no more charges. This has triggered a backlash among those who wanted transparency about Epstein.
However, Leavitt doesn't always wear her necklace and has been pictured without it on numerous other occasions, according to a Newsweek review of the White House YouTube channel and Getty images. There is no evidence that Leavitt's lack of necklace has anything to do with the Epstein saga.
What People Are Saying
One X user posted: "Interesting that Karoline Leavitt took off her cross today while talking about the Epstein files."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday: "The Trump administration is committed to truth and to transparency. That's why the attorney general and the FBI director pledged at the president's direction to do an exhaustive review of all of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and his death. And they put out a memo in conclusion of that review. There was material they did not release because frankly it was incredibly graphic and it contained child pornography which is not something that's appropriate for public consumption. But they committed to an exhaustive investigation. That's what they did and they provided the results of that. That's transparency."
What Happens Next
The frequency with which Leavitt will wear her necklace remains to be seen. Internet commentary about this will doubtless continue. Meanwhile, backlash to the administration regarding the so-called Epstein client list also prevails.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mary Trump Warns Uncle's Latest Moves Pose 'Unique Threat' to US Future
Mary Trump Warns Uncle's Latest Moves Pose 'Unique Threat' to US Future

Newsweek

time20 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Mary Trump Warns Uncle's Latest Moves Pose 'Unique Threat' to US Future

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mary Trump, the estranged niece of President Donald Trump, warned this week that his approach to federal cultural institutions poses a "unique threat" to the future of the United States. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email. Why It Matters Trump this week launched a review of some Smithsonian Institution museums in Washington, D.C., to "ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions." It follows an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" signed in March that would eliminate "improper ideology" across the Smithsonian. Critics have said the order could break the independence of these museums from partisan interests. What To Know Mary Trump, who has remained a vocal critic of her uncle's policies, raised alarms about the move in a new Substack post published on Thursday. "It is part of an overarching plan," she wrote. "But this one, I think, carries a unique threat to our futures as an advanced country that cares about such things. We also need to remind people that the arts are the most important mirror of—and way into understanding—a society and a culture." She questioned whether this is "just another assault on expertise" like others waged on the scientific and medical communities, saying it is "not an isolated incident," while adding that she believes the Trump administration aims to transform the Smithsonian museums "into agencies of propaganda." Mary Trump attends the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, on May 26. Mary Trump attends the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, on May 26."The idea that anybody—including Donald—thinks that he, of all people, has any business going anywhere near our cultural institutions, that he of all people has the right to interfere in our ability to learn about ourselves and other people, is quite frankly grotesque to me," she wrote. The White House, in a letter to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch, wrote that the review would be "rooted in respect for the Smithsonian's vital mission and its extraordinary contributions." The review would focus on public-facing content, curatorial process, exhibition planning, collection use and narrative standards, according to the letter. Initially, the review will focus on the National Museum of American History; National Museum of Natural History; National Museum of African American History and Culture; National Museum of the American Indian; National Air and Space Museum; Smithsonian American Art Museum; National Portrait Gallery; and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. "Our goal is not to interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff, but rather to support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive portrayals of America's heritage," the letter reads. What People Are Saying The White House wrote in a letter to Bunch: "We view this process as a collaborative and forward-looking opportunity—one that empowers museum staff to embrace a revitalized curatorial vision rooted in the strength, breadth, and achievements of the American story. By focusing on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress that define our nation—we can work together to renew the Smithsonian's role as the world's leading museum institution." Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, wrote in a post to X: "The Smithsonian is supposed to be a global symbol of American strength, culture and prestige. A place for families and children to celebrate American history and greatness. Instead, the exhibits have clearly been taken over by leftwing activists who have used the Smithsonian as yet one platform to endlessly bash America and rewrite / erase our magnificent story. These activists have obscenely defaced this beloved institution. The Trump Administration will proudly and diligently restore the patriotic glory of America and ensure the Smithsonian is a place that once more inspires love and devotion to this nation, especially among our youngest citizens." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote to X: "If you're trying to erase history, you're on the wrong side of it." U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts wrote in a statement: "It is the impartial role and responsibility of the Smithsonian museums to ensure a full, accurate, and resonant telling of American history – and Trump has no right to censor our history, ignore the systemic oppression of marginalized people, and attack our intellectual freedom. Much like his disgraceful rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and his campaign to ban books, this action is yet another attempt to whitewash our shared history and replace the challenges and triumphs of women, people of color, and Native Americans with false narratives forged with white supremacist ideology." What Happens Next The White House's letter includes an implementation timeline. Within 120 days, the museums should "begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions across placards, wall didactics, digital displays, and other public-facing materials."

Liberty University faces second lawsuit accusing it of mishandling sexual assault cases
Liberty University faces second lawsuit accusing it of mishandling sexual assault cases

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

Liberty University faces second lawsuit accusing it of mishandling sexual assault cases

A former Liberty University employee says she was terminated in part for cooperating with a federal investigation of the school's handling of sexual assault, according to recently filed court documents. In her suit against the private Christian university, Erika Woolfolk stated she was paid less, required to work more, and the subject of a hostile work environment while employed in the university's office of Equity and Compliance and Title IX. Woolfolk's work involved investigating cases of sexual violence on campus, of which she alleged her bosses would improperly predetermine their outcomes, according to her lawsuit. She claimed in the filing that she shared that information and more about the university's 'systemic violations of federal law' with the U.S. Department of Education. She also claims she was fired for it. She is now the second former Liberty University employee who has alleged in lawsuits that they reported the university's improper and unethical investigations into sexual assault and were later terminated. Most recently, Peter Brake sued the university along similar grounds and his firing was cited in Woolfolk's filing. Both suits also name as a defendant Ashley Reich, a former top administrator at the university who oversaw the Title IX office. In a statement to USA TODAY, Liberty University declined to respond to all the allegations but disagreed with Woolfolk's claims. It stated that her termination did not have to do with her race or her interactions with the federal government. Instead, her firing was tied to "legitimate business reasons" related to Title IX investigations. USA TODAY reached out to Reich for comment but received no response prior to publication. The Biden-era Education Department in 2024 found that the university had created a culture where students and others were afraid to report sexual violence. The university was penalized $16 million as a result. It also remains on federal monitoring through April 2026. Liberty has previously said it believed it was treated unfairly by the Biden administration, while agreeing 'there were numerous deficiencies that existed in the past' with its compliance with the Clery Act. That regulation includes requirements for how universities respond to and report sexual assault and other crimes on their campuses. More: Liberty to pay Jerry Falwell Jr. $15 million settlement after high-profile sex scandal The government's final report found that college administrators overlooked and failed to track repeat cases of sexual violence on campus, and that it failed to warn students of potential danger. It laid out how university officials tried to cover their tracks by seeking technology staff to delete hard drives. Liberty, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, is among the nation's largest and most prominent Christian universities. The school is also hugely popular among Republican politicians. Jerry Falwell, a televangelist and conservative figure, started the school in 1971. The university has grown thanks to online students – about 124,000 combined in the 2023-24 academic year, according to the school – and it took nearly $880 million in federal financial aid for its students in the 2022-2023 academic year, according to the Department of Education. What did Woolfolk allege? In her lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia, Woolfolk stated she earned undergraduate and master's degrees at the school and had been working there since 2014. She initially produced content for the Liberty Flames Sports Network, before transferring to the Office of Equity and Compliance/Title IX in 2018. In that office, she was the only Black employee and faced a hostile work environment, the suit states. She alleged she was paid less than her more inexperienced peers and was asked to work longer hours on more arduous tasks. She said she was denied promotions and accommodations, like remote work, while Reich routinely stayed home, according to the lawsuit. She also described facing racial comments from her colleagues, like one who stereotyped 'Blacks as either 'black-black' or 'white-black'' with more positive connotations for the latter, according to the lawsuit. The suit also included screenshots from Microsoft Teams chats where her peers joked about naming a coworker's new dog after Confederate generals. Woolfolk's suit also states that Reich regularly influenced the findings of Title IX cases, either directly or through another employee. In another instance, Woolfolk learned details of a confidential case were improperly shared throughout the office, which 'posed significant risks of prejudice to complainants and respondents.' That was because members of her team would sometimes have to serve as neutral deciders in cases other than their own. In 2022, Woolfolk spoke to Education Department investigators. Her suit states she told them about numerous violations of Title IX, which included 'systematic efforts to minimize and downplay sexual assault reports; and predetermined case outcomes before investigations were completed.' She also alleged that Reich was aware of her actions. By June 2024, Woolfolk said she had filed an internal complaint against Reich related to workplace discrimination and retaliation for cooperating with the federal government. She was assigned to work virtually, but was fired days later. The suit stated that the university fired her for unspecified compliance issues. She was terminated on the same day as two other investigators, including Peter Brake, who had also raised complaints about Reich. Reich now works at the Education Department where she'll be recused from matters involving the school. In a statement to USA TODAY, a department official praised her nearly two decades of working in higher education, policy development and government affairs, and said that she'll help advance President Donald Trump's agenda but didn't offer more details about her is seeking legal fees and an unspecified amount of Quintana is an investigative reporter at USA TODAY. He can be reached at cquintana@ or via Signal at 202-308-9021. He is on X at @CQuintanaDC

Photos: Donald Trump Gives Vladimir Putin Warm Welcome to Alaska
Photos: Donald Trump Gives Vladimir Putin Warm Welcome to Alaska

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

Photos: Donald Trump Gives Vladimir Putin Warm Welcome to Alaska

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin opened their Alaska summit Friday with a warm handshake, greeting each other like longtime acquaintances before beginning hours of talks that could reshape the war in Ukraine and the broader U.S.-Russia relationship. After stepping off Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Trump applauded as Putin approached along a red carpet laid out for each leader. The two clasped hands for an extended moment, smiling as cameras clicked. Putin eventually pointed skyward while their hands were still joined. President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson Uniformed service members stood at attention nearby as B-2 bombers and F-22 fighter jets — aircraft designed to counter Russia during the Cold War — roared overhead in a symbolic flyover. US President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. US President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images When reporters shouted, "President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?" Putin cupped his hand to his ear but did not respond. Moments later, both leaders climbed into the U.S. presidential limousine, with Putin grinning as it pulled away. President Donald Trump talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. President Donald Trump talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting format had shifted from a one-on-one to a "three-on-three" session. Trump will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. The move reflects a more cautious approach than the 2018 Helsinki summit, when the two met privately with only their interpreters for two hours. US President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose on a podium on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. US President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose on a podium on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images The leaders are scheduled to hold a joint press conference at the conclusion of the summit. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive before President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive before President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Associated Press This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store