There’s always some sort of uproar in the modern political landscape.
It’s not out of the norm for Democrats and Republicans to be divided on something. Actually, that is the norm, and this time around, the origin point of division revolves around White House correspondent Natalie Winters.
Along with fulfilling her duties as the White House correspondent, the 23-year-old journalist also acts as a co-host of Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast. Needless to say, she’s got her hands full with a number of different plates spinning at once, and her life only got more hectic after she posted this photo below of her first day on the job. And yes, she misspelled the word “correspondent,” which started its own ridiculous backlash, but she’s also been brave enough to not take that post down – which has been viewed just shy of 40 million times.
To nobody’s surprise, those folks who love to talk about “tolerance” immediately started criticizing her for “not dressing modestly” and wearing a skirt with sneakers, saying that Winters should “dress more professionally” for her highly privileged position.
War Room White House Corespondent 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CQ5lKHyjwe
— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) January 28, 2025
Of course, we all remember this glowing example of “modesty” and “professionalism” at the White House…
🚨 Biden Faces Backlash on Twitter after Trans Activist goes Topless at White House Pride Event pic.twitter.com/NhLHcQKuGd
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) June 13, 2023
The flames of controversy really started burning strong when the Daily Mail posted a story about Natalie Winter’s clothing. It noted the many social media comments (both good and bad) that Winters received, and also shined a light on a “form fitting” dress that Winters wore during Donald Trump’s inauguration weekend.
Controversial White House Correspondent slammed over 'inappropriate' outfits https://t.co/xQQMMIrsDC pic.twitter.com/Q5Egqs2t86
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) January 30, 2025
After Winters became the focus of online backlash, with internet sleuths claiming that she wasn’t “dressing the part,” the White House correspondent refused to back down. She fired back at the Daily Mail story, sharing on X:
“Excuse me? A few deranged haters comment that they didn’t like my *sweater* and this becomes a story? This mean girl energy is unreal, and you didn’t even ask for comment. Last time I checked, at 23 I’ve broken more stories than most mainstream reporters (that you all tried to censor and actively suppress by smearing as misinformation.) All while graduating from the University of Chicago in three years.
The War Room audience is the most powerful in media history – just look at the election results. Or ask Kevin McCarthy. Or Peter Daszak. Or (preemptively pardoned) Anthony Fauci. Sorry your viewership is sinking and your audience has no power. It’s very clear that your misinformation attacks FAILED so now you’re pivoting by trying to depict me as some dumb, vapid bimbo. Good luck with that.”
Excuse me?
A few deranged haters comment that they didn’t like my *sweater* and this becomes a story?
This mean girl energy is unreal, and you didn’t even ask for comment.
Last time I checked, at 23 I’ve broken more stories than most mainstream reporters (that you all tried… https://t.co/EUdhNkdXdd
— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) January 30, 2025
Winters didn’t hold back right there, and I don’t blame her.
Later on that day, Natalie simplified her response to the backlash with a shorter message sent out to her followers. One could say that her second message was basically the “cliff notes” version of her comeback that’s included above:
“Getting attacked by journalists for being hot? We are so back.”
Getting attacked by journalists for being hot?
We are so back.
— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) January 30, 2025
All in all, it’s just another example of politics being unnecessarily dramatic (and a bit hypocritical). Being a White House correspondent at 23 years of age is honestly a crazy accomplishment, but of course that wasn’t the focus of the story. It just screams unhinged jealousy.
Good for Natalie Winters for standing up for herself and simultaneously shouting out and shutting up the haters… something tells me we’re going to be hearing a lot more from the Natalie haters this year.
