Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2025
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by Sarah Katherine Sisk
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41 Comments
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The Washington press corps is experiencing a collective meltdown, and the reason why might surprise you — President Donald Trump is having the time of his life, and the media can’t stand it.
To be sure, President Trump is stone-cold serious about the solemn responsibility of leading the American people. When the occasion calls for it, Trump is a tough negotiator and an uncompromising defender of his America First principles.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy the job. Democrats and the media, who view it as their top responsibility to make Trump miserable, have only allowed his good humor to make them miserable instead.
At the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, for instance, Trump took a few laps in “The Beast,” becoming the first sitting president to cruise the track in the custom-built, highly secure Cadillac limousine. A week earlier, Trump also made history as the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, bringing his trademark enthusiasm to America’s biggest sporting event – while taking a moment to declare the first “Gulf of America Day” on his way to New Orleans.
And that’s exactly what drives his critics crazy— the sight of a president who treats these appearances less like obligations and more like celebrations. They’re not just presidential appearances; they’re patriotic spectacles, and nobody knows how to work a crowd quite like Trump.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt captured the essence of the media’s frustration perfectly. Speaking on a recent episode of the “Ruthless” podcast, she noted that reporters are “having a hard time” watching an administration that’s “genuinely having so much fun.”
That fun doesn’t stop at sporting events. During one Executive Order signing in the Oval Office, Trump tossed out “TRUMP WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” hats — reminiscent of the MAGA hat he typically wears — to the same legacy press that has been losing its mind over the president’s new media approach.
The White House press corps is in an uproar over the Trump administration’s systematic dismantling of traditional media access, with legacy journalists claiming the new approach threatens press freedom. The administration’s move involves expanding press access beyond the traditional Washington media elite, bringing in outlets that represent a broader cross-section of America.
But for a Washington media complex built on manufactured drama and carefully parsed statements, this is nothing short of an existential threat.
One of Trump’s strongest relationships – perhaps even a genuine friendship – in Washington is with Elon Musk. The press is desperately trying to manufacture division between the two to derail their shared mission of cutting government waste. Yet the Trump-Musk partnership remains as airtight as ever, much to the media’s mounting frustration.
Trump’s genuine enjoyment of being back in the Oval Office is infectious. According to Leavitt, the reason for the positive vibes emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is simple: this administration isn’t just a group of coworkers — it’s a rock-solid team that’s been through the fire together.
“The president had faced so much adversity throughout his entire political tenure,” Leavitt explained.
The team’s camaraderie was forged through shared challenges, especially during the most recent campaign cycle and sitting in a “dirty Manhattan courtroom” while the left waged unsuccessful lawfare on Trump.
According to Leavitt, the team is working 15-18-hour days and loving every minute of it.
Behind closed doors, Trump’s well-known sense of humor keeps the mood light even during intense moments. Leavitt says his staff doesn’t just tolerate their boss. They genuinely like being around him.
“It was great to be part of that campaign, and now we went from campaigning to governing. And we’re actually doing what the president said he was going to do, and it’s so incredible to watch that come to life,” Leavitt said. “But I also have grown to know him as a person, and seeing what he is like personally — He’s the best boss. He is so uplifting of everybody who works for him. Always flattering everybody with praise and you see that publicly too.”
This reality conflicts with every story the D.C. press corps knows how to write. They’ve tried, and failed, at the palace intrigue angle. They’ve speculated about discord among staff. But they don’t have a template for covering a White House where the president cracks jokes during Cabinet meetings and his team actually looks forward to coming to work.
“That’s just how he is and that’s true like in front of the cameras and when the cameras are off,” Leavitt said. “He tells it like it is. And he is hilarious. He’s truly one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.”
Trump’s energy and enthusiasm are a welcome change from a Biden administration which lacked any of the confidence, charisma, and optimism that has characterized the electrifying start to Trump’s second term. While career politicians treat governance like a somber chore, President Trump has shown that running the country can be fun.
Trump is unafraid to enjoy the responsibility of the presidency — a blueprint for what real leaders should be.
Sarah Katherine Sisk is a senior at Hillsdale College pursuing a degree in Economics and Journalism. You can follow her on X @SKSisk76.
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