White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Labels Gen Z 'Lazy'

During an appearance on Fox News, Leavitt told host Jesse Watters that younger generations were raised with "silver spoons" and lack the meritocratic values upon which the country was built. She attributed this perceived decline in work ethic to the influence of liberal professors and teachers, advocating for homeschooling and Christian schooling as an alternative to what she termed communist ideologies. Watters, for his part, floated the idea of mandatory military service for young people who "misbehave," to which Leavitt responded that a stint in countries like Iran or Cuba would quickly change their outlook.

The remarks triggered an immediate backlash from online critics who argued that Leavitt ignored the structural economic hurdles facing young adults, including skyrocketing housing costs and the burden of student loans. Many social media users accused the press secretary of being disconnected from the realities of working families, with some noting that a record number of young people remain living at home due to financial instability. Opponents of her commentary warned that such rhetoric risks alienating an entire generation of voters, urging them to remember the interview when they head to the ballot box.