White House Press Secretary Leavitt Defends 'Your Mom' Remark to Reporter Over Budapest Meeting

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sparked controversy by responding with "Your mom did" to a Huffington Post reporter's question about why President Trump chose Budapest for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The reporter highlighted Budapest's historical significance due to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Russia pledged not to invade Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons. Leavitt dismissed the reporter as a "far-left hack" and accused him of repeatedly sending partisan, biased, and disingenuous questions, claiming that activists masquerading as reporters harm the profession. She posted the exchange on social media, defending her blunt response and criticizing the media's coverage of the Trump administration. The incident drew mixed reactions, with some condemning the White House's unprofessionalism, while Trump supporters praised Leavitt's unapologetic stance. The choice of Budapest remains symbolically significant amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.