Leavitt backlash for calling Democrats Hamas terrorists and criminals

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt drew sharp criticism Friday after saying in a televised interview Thursday that the Democratic Party's main constituency includes "Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals," comments she later defended on social media. The exchange came as the White House reported progress in a more than two hour phone call Thursday between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and outlined plans for further talks, including a potential summit in Budapest.

Leavitt told reporters the Trump‑Putin call was "very good and productive" and lasted more than two hours, and she said the president felt the conversation made "great progress." She said Putin congratulated Trump on a ceasefire deal in the Middle East and that the two discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine and possible postwar trade between the United States and Russia. Trump announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest to seek a negotiated end to the Ukraine conflict, though he said the date had not yet been determined. He also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other advisers would meet with Russian counterparts next week, with locations still...