With White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt temporarily on leave after welcoming a new baby, members of the Trump administration have occasionally stepped in to handle press briefings — and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent apparently decided to make the most of the opportunity.

During a recent appearance before the White House press corps, Bessent reportedly mixed policy discussion with sharp humor, delivering several lighthearted shots at reporters while also slipping in a pointed jab aimed at California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The exchange quickly gained attention online as supporters praised Bessent for confidently handling the often-hostile briefing room atmosphere while refusing to play the usual Washington script.

And honestly, watching members of the Trump administration troll the media with a smile has practically become its own form of political entertainment at this point.

Bessent’s comments about Newsom reportedly drew laughs and reactions from both reporters and viewers following the briefing, adding another chapter to the ongoing political rivalry between the Trump administration and prominent Democratic governors.

Newsom has become one of the administration’s favorite political targets as Republicans continue criticizing California over issues including crime, homelessness, high taxes, business flight, and progressive policies many conservatives say have damaged the state.

Meanwhile, Leavitt’s temporary absence has given several administration officials opportunities to engage directly with the press corps — often producing moments that spread rapidly across social media due to the increasingly combative relationship between Trump officials and major media outlets.

Supporters argue these exchanges demonstrate a more confident and unapologetic communication strategy compared to previous Republican administrations that frequently struggled against aggressive press coverage.

As the Trump administration continues pushing its agenda heading deeper into the election cycle, moments like this are reinforcing the White House’s broader message: they are more than willing to challenge both the media establishment and Democratic leadership directly — and sometimes with a little humor thrown in for good measure.