White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt returned to the briefing room Thursday after nearly two months of maternity leave, signaling a resumption of regular press briefings under the Trump administration.
In her first appearance back, Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump will deliver a primetime address to the nation at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, with a strong emphasis on protecting the integrity of U.S. elections. She also highlighted recent economic developments, pointing to Tuesday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report as evidence of the administration’s policy success.
“Tuesday’s CPI report confirmed what President Trump predicted: prices are falling, and this administration’s economic policies are working,” Leavitt said. “Inflation dropped 0.4% last month, beating expectations and marking the largest monthly decline in more than six years.”
Leavitt also drew attention to the newly launched Trump Accounts, encouraging families to enroll young children. “Government projections show that a child whose family maxes out contributions could see the account grow to nearly $300,000 by the time the child turns 18,” she said. “This is an enormously powerful head start toward the American Dream.”
The upcoming address is expected to focus heavily on election security ahead of the November midterms. White House sources and allies say Trump will underscore that free and fair elections form the foundation of the republic and will call for urgent federal action to safeguard the process. The president has long advocated for nationwide voter ID requirements, paper ballots, stricter chain-of-custody protocols, and enhanced federal oversight to address vulnerabilities in voting systems.
Insiders anticipate Trump will present new findings on election security and press Congress to pass tighter rules aimed at restoring public confidence. He has described secure elections as one of the most critical issues facing the country, warning that persistent vulnerabilities threaten the stability of the United States itself.
The speech is also expected to address ongoing tensions with Iran. Reports indicate Trump will outline steps his administration is taking to protect American interests, energy security, and regional allies while maintaining pressure on Tehran. Sources suggest he may share additional significant developments related to either election defenses or U.S. strategy toward Iran.
This comes following a high-level Situation Room meeting Tuesday with senior national security advisers. According to sources, discussions centered on options for a significantly expanded military campaign against Iran, building on current U.S. operations near the Strait of Hormuz. The goal includes reopening the strategic waterway and securing concessions on Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump has publicly warned of potential further strikes if Tehran does not negotiate.
