Trump’s Press Secretary Holds First Briefing Amid Funding Freeze Controversy.

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary. Courtesy image.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held her first-ever press briefing today, addressing the Trump administration’s decision to freeze federal funding for various U.S. government grants, loans, and assistance programs.

The controversial move, set to begin at 5:00 PM EST (22:00 GMT), has sparked outrage among Democrats, who warn of significant disruptions, including missed payrolls and delayed rent payments.

Leavitt defended President Donald Trump’s decision, asserting that it was made in the interest of being “good stewards of tax dollars.” She emphasized that the president’s primary responsibility is to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer money, an agenda he was elected to carry out. However, the freeze’s specifics remain unclear, and it could potentially affect government programs worth trillions of dollars.

The funding freeze was first disclosed through a leaked memo, which was verified by CBS News and the BBC’s U.S. affiliate. The memo has raised concerns about its broad and sweeping implications, with numerous sectors left uncertain about the immediate future of their funding.

In the briefing, Leavitt was pressed on why non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were not given more notice about the funding cut. She responded by underscoring the importance of this decision, stating that it was essential for the White House to demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that the American people’s tax dollars were spent wisely. She criticized several international funding commitments that were previously promised, including a now-blocked pledge of $37 million to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Leavitt also addressed another controversial program, a USAID initiative designed to provide HIV prevention services in Gaza, which includes the distribution of condoms. She described the program as a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money,” further fueling the debate surrounding the freeze.

The decision has already drawn strong criticism from Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who warned of the potential chaos it could cause. Schumer voiced concerns that the funding freeze would lead to serious economic consequences for both individuals and organizations reliant on federal aid. With a lack of clarity on which programs will be directly affected, there is growing anxiety over the long-term effects of the freeze on essential services.

As the situation develops, Leavitt’s briefing marks a pivotal moment in the administration’s push for fiscal conservatism, but it remains to be seen how the funding freeze will be managed and how it will impact key sectors across the U.S. and abroad.

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