White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a preview of President Donald Trump's planned primetime address Thursday, saying the president will argue that U.S. elections are not as secure as many Americans believe and that changes are needed.
Leavitt, speaking to reporters in her first briefing after returning from maternity leave, said Trump will highlight election security concerns and call for passage of the SAVE America Act.
That legislation would require states to verify citizenship before registering voters in federal elections.
"I think all Americans — Democrat, Republican — should agree that we are the greatest country in the history of the world," Leavitt said. "We should have the safest and most secure elections in the history of the world."
"And what the president will be speaking about tonight will show you that perhaps that is not the case, and we need to make some adjustments moving forward, including the SAVE America Act," she added.
Leavitt pushed back when reporters questioned why Trump continues to focus on the 2020 election and whether he views election security as more important than other issues facing the country, including the economy and the conflict with Iran.
"You're jumping ahead to a conclusion in the speech before even hearing it yourself," Leavitt said. "I think that everyone should tune in tonight, including the people in this room, and you should report on the president's speech and the findings that he is going to reveal in the speech with a little bit of honesty and a little bit of integrity."
She said Trump's remarks would be supported by evidence and accused some outlets of inaccurately describing what he plans to discuss.
The Hill reported that Leavitt urged television networks to carry the address, saying Americans should be allowed to hear directly from the president and make their own judgments.
"I think that mainstream media should air the president's speech and allow the American people to draw their own opinions from it," Leavitt said.
The address comes as Trump and his allies continue to make election security a central issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Newsmax reported that the address has sparked concern among some lawmakers in both parties, with some questioning whether revisiting the 2020 election will further divide voters ahead of the midterms.
Newsmax also reported that Trump is expected to discuss concerns involving China and election integrity.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the 2020 election raised serious security concerns. Election officials and courts, however, have rejected claims that widespread fraud changed the outcome of the election.
The White House has continued pushing election-related measures, including the SAVE America Act, which supporters say is aimed at strengthening voter verification requirements.
Some Democrats have urged news organizations not to air the primetime address, arguing that it could amplify claims they say undermine confidence in elections.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters on Capitol Hill that media organizations have a responsibility not to promote statements she believes are unsupported.
Leavitt rejected that argument and said Americans should hear Trump's remarks directly.
"Again, it's important that the American public hears directly from the president of the United States on a topic that, to your point, is very near and dear to the hearts of many Americans across the country," she said.