Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, and President Donald Trump speak with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One en route to Kentucky, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. US President Donald Trump attempted to honor the departure of outgoing press secretaryKaroline Leavitt on Monday by making a joke about it. But considering Trump had made the same quip just days before, many on social media couldn’t help but wonder if he actually meant what he said. “She decided she loved her children more than she loved Donald Trump. I’m very upset about this,” Trump said while speaking at the White House of Leavitt, who announced earlier this month that she’d be leaving the job. “She has to go home and spend time with her children. That does happen on occasion with some people — when they love their children, and she does.” He then congratulated her on the birth of her second child, “Vivi,” who was born in May. Trump on Leavitt: She decided she loved her children more than she loved Donald Trump. I'm very upset about this. She has to go home and spend time with her children. That does happen on occasion with some people—when they love their children pic.twitter.com/tQG3eaqwqq — Acyn (@Acyn) August 24, 2026 Trump said in a Truth Social post after Leavitt’s announcement that she was leaving so she can “spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” If the joke on Monday was a one-off, most people wouldn’t read into it too deeply. However, Mediaite notes that Trump made the same joke on Friday when he attended a rally for South Carolina Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham. As a result, many people on social media interpreted the “joke” as a serious sign of the president’s fragile ego. 🚨OMG. What a narcissistic piece of shit. Trump just dunked on Karoline Leavitt for leaving: “She decided she loved her children more than she loved Donald Trump. I’m very upset about this.” Even her newborn has to compete with his fucking ego. pic.twitter.com/wecFF76Xr1 — CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) August 24, 2026 This is, what, at least the third time he’s said this? He wasn’t joking the first time and he’s not joking now. https://t.co/TZ7yEbi4Ol — FlossMan @flossman.bsky.social 🇺🇦🇨🇦 (@flossman) August 24, 2026 Trump consistently feels the need to inject his giant-sized ego into speeches and conversations... comments revolve entirely around him and his misguided, self-centered view of his own greatness, which is not aligned with the reality perceived by most observers... -DW https://t.co/NApcrhJ0UO — DeSota (@desota) August 24, 2026 The irony is almost unbelievable. https://t.co/uKalYRpEeu — Gracious (@GreatGraceB) August 24, 2026 He thinks he’s being funny. Seriously. https://t.co/qWui8vzbyZ — Jacquie_RN 🇨🇦🩺🌸🌷 (@jacquie_rn) August 24, 2026 No, not a weirdo at all https://t.co/rd9uLeV25V — Alex Giedt (just trying) 🤷♂️ (@Mechani_Kong) August 24, 2026 Trump is the dad who went to the store to get milk and never returned. https://t.co/pfkwUYyh2t — Vince Wilson (@VinceWilsonShow) August 24, 2026 Related... WSJ Is Dumbfounded That Trump Just Pulled 1 Of His 'Dumber' Moves Right Before Midterms 'No More!' Trump Lashes Out Canada's Mark Carney Over Trade War Trump Sparks Mockery After Suggesting Baffling New Use For The Military