A growing dispute over a fitness report made headlines Monday after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized New York Times correspondent Katie Rogers for what she called an “unequivocally false” story about President Trump’s stamina. The clash followed a Times article claiming the 79-year-old president was showing signs of fatigue.
Leavitt used a press briefing on the administration’s new website targeting misinformation to challenge the Times’ reporting. “I think it goes to our original promise on day one to hold the media accountable,” she said, arguing that “so many fake stories” mischaracterize the president’s workload. She pointed to Rogers’ story, which suggested Trump holds “fewer public events” than in his first term and typically appears between noon and 5 p.m.
Leavitt pushed back hard, telling reporters, “That is unequivocally false,” and contrasting Rogers’ recent story with earlier Times coverage of President Biden. She displayed a 2021 Rogers headline reading, “Biden is ‘doing 100 percent fine’ after tripping while boarding Air Force One,” noting that positive framing is rarely applied to Trump. She also highlighted another Times headline: “Biden declared healthy and vigorous after his first presidential physical,” saying, “I don’t see headlines like that too often about this president.”
The New York Times defended its reporting to Fox News Digital, stating that its White House team “have reported without fear or favor across multiple administrations” and that Rogers’ coverage of Biden was “just as unflinching.” The spokesperson said criticism relied on “cherry-picked headlines” that did not reflect the full record.
President Trump also rebuked the article, calling it a “hit piece” and highlighting his work pace since returning to office. He cited policy achievements, including his claim that he “settled 8 Wars” and restored American strength worldwide. “To do this requires a lot of Work and Energy,” he wrote on Truth Social, rejecting any suggestion he is slowing down. Trump added that he recently completed a “PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (‘That was aced’).”
The Times stood by its reporting, saying that “name-calling and personal insults don’t change” the facts and arguing that its journalists would continue covering the administration without hesitation. Rogers’ original report also alleged Trump appeared to doze off during a recent Oval Office event, a characterization the White House disputed.
The controversy highlights the increasingly adversarial relationship between the administration and legacy media outlets. Leavitt reiterated that the White House will continue pushing back against inaccurate coverage, while the Times insisted its reporters will continue independent scrutiny of the president’s schedule and performance.
