WASHINGTON — Kids learn the darndest things at the White House — like that President Trump has a sweet tooth and is a hugger.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt held a special briefing Tuesday to mark “Take Your Child to Work Day” at the executive mansion, fielding questions from intrepid child reporters whose parents are administration staffers and journalists.
“How much candy does he eat a day?” one youngster asked Leavitt about the 47th president.
“A good amount of candy,” Leavitt laughed, adding that the commander in chief “likes pink Starbursts and Tootsie Rolls.”
Children raise their hands to ask White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt questions during a press briefing for the Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day event, at the White House, in Washington, D.C., May 20, 2025. REUTERS
Karoline Leavitt said Trump enjoys pink Starbursts. Getty Images
Another child wanted the scoop on Trump’s favorite order at McDonald’s.
“He loves McDonald’s hamburgers and French fries. Who doesn’t?” Leavitt responded, before adding that the president’s favorite food can’t be found under the golden arches.
Leavitt took questions on Trump’s favorite foods and activities. AFP via Getty Images“President Trump loves a lot of different foods. I think his favorite is probably steak,” the press secretary said.
The 78-year-old’s fondness for well-done steak with ketchup has been a point of fascination — and horror among gourmands — since his first run for the presidency in 2016.
The briefing room’s 49 seats were about half-full of children ranging in age from infants to about 11 — with their proud parents looking on from the side aisles and rear of the room.
The kids sat down in the briefing room and posed questions. AFP via Getty ImagesAmong the tykes present was Leavitt’s own 10-month-old son, Niko.
Onlookers repeatedly erupted in laughter as the children broached touchy subjects — with one boy asking Leavitt to identify the president’s favorite kid and another asking her to say which news outlet she likes least. (“Depends on the day,” was the press secretary’s answer to both questions.)
One tyke asked how many people Trump has fired, leading Leavitt to acknowledged “one individual who did leave their job” in a possible reference to ex-national security adviser Mike Waltz, whom Trump nominated to be UN ambassador earlier this month in what sources described as a creative termination.
Other questions included whether Trump likes to give hugs — with Leavitt saying she’d seen the president give many hugs, including to first lady Melania Trump — and his favorite ice cream, to which Leavitt answered a chocolate sundae.
