Karoline Leavitt Outsmarts NBC Reporter’s Tricky DOGE Questions

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently had a heated back-and-forth with NBC reporter Peter Alexander. The discussion centered around reports claiming the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been involved in fraudulent and improper payments. Leavitt was quick to challenge Alexander, questioning whether he was defending the misuse of taxpayer money in light of a government report revealing a staggering $71 billion in fraud.

President Donald Trump took swift action by appointing Leland Dudek to lead the SSA as its acting administrator. Dudek steps into the role after the resignation of Michelle King, who reportedly disagreed with the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This department, established by the Trump administration, is dedicated to rooting out federal waste and ensuring taxpayer money is used wisely.

Leavitt made it clear that the administration is deeply committed to cutting government waste. She pointed to the Inspector General’s report, which highlighted $71 billion in improper payments by the SSA. During their exchange, she told Alexander, “It’s a clever question,” challenging him to think about the broader implications.

In the heat of the discussion, Leavitt said, “First of all, I think all Americans would agree that funding mastectomies in Mozambique is not something that the American people should be funding—or DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] programs.” Her comments underline the administration’s stance against what they see as unnecessary spending that doesn’t directly benefit Americans.

Leavitt continued, emphasizing the $71 billion figure in fraudulent activities revealed by the SSA’s Inspector General report. She stated, “In fact, according to an IG report from the Social Security Administration, there was $71 billion worth of fraud in one single fiscal year that we know about.” This figure, she argues, shows a clear need for action and reform.

However, Alexander countered Leavitt’s narrative, arguing that the $71 billion cited actually spans several years, from 2015 to 2022. He clarified, “To be clear, that $71 billion was from 2015 to 2022, so it wasn’t in just one year—” Despite this, Leavitt remained firm in her stance, repeating the “$71 billion” figure to underscore the gravity of the issue.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt:

Clowns NBC Peter Alexander as he tries to defend WASTE, FRAUD, & ABUSE in the federal government.

“Why is the media so against cutting waste, fraud, & abuse? … We will not be deterred by people like you.” pic.twitter.com/L16SL8mmlY

— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) February 22, 2025

The Inspector General’s report, which came out in August 2024, confirmed improper payments over a seven-year period. The Trump administration acted promptly, establishing DOGE via an executive order on January 20. This move aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to cut wasteful government spending.

DOGE has already identified $55 billion in potential savings since its inception. As the conversation between Leavitt and Alexander continued, Alexander pressed for more details on the administration’s claims. Leavitt fired back, asking, “So are you defending $71 billion in fraud, Peter? That’s a lot of money.”

Leavitt expressed frustration with what she perceives as media opposition to cutting government waste. “We won’t be deterred—we will not be deterred from people like you and the press who are clearly adamantly opposed to cutting waste, fraud, and abuse,” she stated. Leavitt emphasized that American taxpayers, struggling with economic challenges, do not want their taxes funding unnecessary overseas programs.

She concluded, saying, “They also don’t like the fact that there has been $71 billion worth of fraud in Social Security and improper payments going out the door.” Leavitt made it clear that fixing these issues is a top priority for President Trump. She added, “That’s your fifth question,” signaling the end of the exchange.

A video clip of the confrontation was shared on social media, highlighting Leavitt’s firm stance against what she sees as media bias. The tweet read, “MUST WATCH: @PressSec smacks down Fake News loser @PeterAlexander.” The exchange further highlights the administration’s push against federal waste.

The Trump administration’s focus on government efficiency has sparked a broader review of federal spending. DOGE is actively targeting waste across multiple agencies, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. As scrutiny over government waste intensifies, the SSA fraud revelations have amplified concerns about taxpayer money management.

The administration’s actions reflect its dedication to ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. They are determined to address any mismanagement and hold agencies accountable. The ongoing efforts are part of a larger initiative to bring about stricter oversight and accountability in federal spending.