The White House Doesn’t Acknowledge the Drop in Consumer Confidence

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there’s reason for Americans to be “optimistic,” despite drops in consumer sentiment.

Karoline Leavitt

Evan Vucci/AP

The White House on Friday did not recognize falling levels of consumer confidence — even when asked directly — pushing a rosy picture of the economy despite continued volatility in the stock and bond markets.

Asked to explain during Friday’s press briefing why American consumer sentiment has dropped, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not engage directly with the question.

“I think there is a great optimism in this economy,” Leavitt said. “A lot of reason for people to feel optimistic.”