Collins presses Leavitt about mixed messaging on the economy

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt grew defensive over the White House’s handling of the economy in exchanges with reporters Thursday, standing by President Donald Trump’s comments that parents should “give up” certain products this Christmas if they have affordability concerns and insisting things have improved under Trump’s watch. The exchange kicked off when CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked about the president’s comment Tuesday to an audience in Pennsylvania about cutting back on purchases. “You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice,” the president said.