Even though Groundhog Day was technically a few months ago, now that we’re living in Trump’s America again, it seems like more of a cyclical holiday. In this week’s disappointed-but-not-surprised, TikTok is up in arms about micro-influencer Kate Mackz interviewing the White House Press Secretary, a woman whose name I have to Google because Republican Makeup Woman is all that comes to mind when I see her face. If you’re not aware of Kate, she’s a fitness influencer who started interviewing people while running (my personal nightmare) in a pretty popular YouTube show.

Kate never quite disclosed her political beliefs, but her run with Tim Walz during the Kamala campaign (so weird kiking with influencers didn’t save the country, BTW) may have convinced loyal fans she was on the right side of history. However, Kate is now getting eaten up online for her most recent run. Here’s a breakdown of the Kate Mackz drama following her interview with the White House Press Secretary.

Kate Mackz Running Influencer Controversy

What happened with Kate Mackz?

Kate Mackz invited White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt onto Running Interview Show, her interactive social media program where she talks to athletes, celebrities, and now Trump cronies, on the go. (It’s also possible she just accepted an invitation from The White House.)

As Kate tours the White House, topped off with a glamour shot of “the President’s Tesla” (AKA a free Elon Musk promo), without a care in the world, people in her comment section have pointed out that she is blatantly ignoring the humanitarian crises brewing this very second at the hands of the people inside.

“Oh Kate, this is disappointing,” one follower wrote. “Btw trying to normalize the way that woman lies is gross and dangerous,” another added.

She also didn’t come prepared to fact check, apparently, since when Karoline said she wanted to make the briefing room “bigger to allow more voices in” many journalists would’ve noted that the White House actively fought to ban the Associated Press from briefings so hard it went to court.

Fans are upset for obvious reasons: aligning yourself with the current president is a perceived indication that you are A-Okay with all the racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and pretty much all the phobias that Trump’s policies are built on and designed to institutionalize.

While Kate has not yet clarified her stance on Trump, we live in a hyper-politicized world, where people are more tuned into sociopolitical issues than ever (as they should be). Now, I do think the comment section needs to hold itself more accountable: the only way you’re going to stop being blindsided by your faves having questionable political stances is if you take nothing but explicit affirmation to the contrary as confirmation.

Has Kate Mackz responded to the criticism for going to the White House?

No, Kate has not made any direct comments to address the criticism. Instead, she’s continued to post her content, business as usual.