Karoline Leavitt returned to the Republican national stage in Dallas on Thursday, attacking Democrats as “extreme liberal socialist” politicians who would raise taxes and undermine private property.
The former White House press secretary addressed delegates on the second night of the first Republican Midterm Convention, having travelled to Texas with Donald Trump and members of his administration aboard Air Force One.
“We cannot be a wealthy people if we elect extreme liberal socialist Democrats who will raise our rent and taxes, take away our private property, and kill the American dream,” Ms Leavitt said.
She added: “Democrat socialist countries always end in poverty, in famine, in misery, and that’s why we will never allow that to happen here in the United States of America, the best country in the world.”
Ms Leavitt also dismissed what she called Democrats’ “false economic promises”, saying they might appear attractive “on paper” but would lead to “empty opportunities and broken communities” in practice.
Her appearance marked a return to one of the most prominent roles in President Trump’s political operation after she left the White House press secretary’s office at the end of August.
She had returned from maternity leave shortly before her departure, following the birth of her second child and first daughter, Viviana. She and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, also have a two-year-old son, Niko, who was born during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Ms Leavitt has since rejoined MAGA Inc, the Trump-aligned super PAC where she worked before becoming a spokeswoman for his 2024 campaign. In her final week at the White House, she told reporters: “You guys will still see me all the time.”
She appeared determined to fulfil that promise, making several media appearances in Dallas before taking the stage ahead of Mr Trump’s second address to the convention.
The event has placed the president’s political message at the centre of Republican efforts to defend their majorities in Congress at this year’s midterm elections. Party speakers have repeatedly portrayed Democrats as extremists and warned that their economic policies would amount to a turn towards socialism.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune was not given a speaking slot and was booed during Mr Trump’s first speech on Wednesday, amid tensions over the stalled Republican agenda. Mr Trump nevertheless defended him from the stage, saying Mr Thune was “working hard”.
Several Republicans in closely fought races, including Maine Senator Susan Collins, Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and New Hampshire Senate candidate John E Sununu, were also absent from the main-stage programme.
Most election forecasters expect Democrats to be competitive in their attempt to regain the House of Representatives. Control of the Senate is likely to be decided by contests including those in Maine, Ohio, Michigan and Alaska.
Mr Trump’s journey to Dallas was delayed on Wednesday after an emergency evacuation slide deployed on the Qatar-gifted aircraft carrying him to the convention. Asked whether the plane was safe to fly, he replied: “Yeah, I am, or I wouldn’t be on it.”
