“Famed Gossip Columnist”: Trump Advisor Fires Back Over “Sweat Mode” Report as Campaign Battles Concerns
(Jeenah Moon for The Washington Post)
A senior advisor to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, took to social media to criticize reporter Tara Palmeri after she suggested the campaign has shifted from early celebration to “sweat mode” over concerning voting trends. Palmeri, a senior political correspondent at Puck, reported that while Trump’s team initially celebrated strong early voting numbers in states like Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina, there’s now rising anxiety about Pennsylvania’s early results, especially an influx of first-time female voters who might favor Kamala Harris.
In her report, Palmeri described how Trump’s campaign had once felt an “undeniably palpable sense of euphoria” over the early voting landscape. However, as the campaign observes a surge in participation from new voters, particularly women in Pennsylvania, the mood has grown noticeably more tense. Palmeri noted, “…as the early results from Pennsylvania reveal an influx of first-time female voters who will likely break for Harris, a newfound anxiety is taking hold.”
She also highlighted speculation that the Trump campaign’s excitement over a “massive” early lead might have been premature, with some Trump allies beginning to feel his recent surge may have come “two weeks early.” LaCivita responded to Palmeri’s post and article on X, formerly Twitter, dismissing her as a “‘famed’ gossip columnist” and accusing her of publishing misleading information.
“Actually this bulls— tweet is a result of the fact that ‘famed’ gossip columnist @tarapalmeri was DENIED credentials to enter Mar-a-Lago to cover election night due to her ‘proclivity’ to write bulls—,” LaCivita posted. His remarks targeted Palmeri’s credibility, hinting that her story was fueled by personal grievances rather than accurate reporting.
Palmeri quickly fired back, defending her reporting on Pennsylvania and clarifying the timeline. “I reported on your concerns about Pennsylvania on my podcast BEFORE you denied my credentials,” she replied on X. “Why are you so afraid of me covering your ‘victory’ party?” Palmeri’s response underscored her commitment to reporting on the story despite the Trump team’s restriction, suggesting that her analysis of the campaign’s mood was informed by sources within the campaign itself.
The heated exchange unfolded as additional reports noted another potential challenge for Trump’s team in Pennsylvania: a so-called “silver surge” of senior voters favoring Harris in early voting. This trend has raised concerns among Trump’s strategists, as Pennsylvania remains a critical battleground state. Senior voters, traditionally a strong demographic for Trump, show support for Harris, which adds another layer of worry for the campaign.
The social media spat between Palmeri and LaCivita highlighted the tension surrounding the Trump campaign as Election Day draws near. With reports of shifts in voter turnout among key demographics, particularly women and seniors, the campaign is dealing with fluctuating predictions and, at times, unpredictable voter behavior. While Trump’s team projects confidence with claims of a “massive” early lead, Palmeri’s reporting suggests that some advisors are closely monitoring developments and preparing for potential hurdles ahead.
As Election Day approaches, both the campaign’s messaging and the media’s scrutiny of voter trends remain at the forefront, with reporters like Palmeri continuing to shed light on what might be happening behind the scenes in Trump’s campaign. LaCivita’s response indicates that the campaign remains highly sensitive to any perceived negativity, even as they manage both public perception and real-time voter data.
