Veteran journalist Katie Couric remains outspoken in her criticism of President Donald Trump, as the administration’s scrutiny of critics has grown in 2025. Couric, a former NBC and CBS anchor, has become a prominent media critic of Trump, reaffirming her dedication to free speech despite being called a “has-been” by the president.
“Donald Trump has called me a ‘has-been,'” Couric told The Daily Beast in an interview on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, “but I’m just happy to be a ‘has-been’ who can speak her mind. I mean, honey, I’ve been in the tabloids for years…. they’ve accused me of having a threesome with Matt Lauer. There’s a lot I can handle.”
Couric, now working as an independent journalist, expressed that she is free from corporate influence in her coverage of current events. She co-launched her own venture, Katie Couric Media, in 2017, and plans to continue addressing what she perceives as a decline in societal norms during Trump’s second presidency.
In a past incident, Couric criticized the administration’s handling of the Kennedy Center, which led to a response from Richard Grenell, appointed by Trump to oversee the institution. The Kennedy Center’s official Instagram account stated the venue is for everyone, including Ms. Couric.
“I just thought, wow, they’re really thin-skinned — I’m obviously getting to somebody in that institution,” Couric told the Daily Beast.
Couric’s stance comes amid a pattern of the Trump administration using federal agencies against political opponents. In late August, the FBI searched the home of former National Security Adviser John Bolton, a notable Trump critic. The search was part of an investigation into alleged leaks of national security information, marking a significant use of law enforcement against political dissent.
Bolton, who served as national security adviser from 2018 to 2019, had a falling out with Trump. The president claimed he fired Bolton, while Bolton said he resigned. Since then, Bolton has criticized Trump for prioritizing personal political interests over national security. By Thursday, October 16, 2025, a federal grand jury had indicted Bolton, with Attorney General Pam Bondi stating that no one is above the law.
The Justice Department’s actions are seen as part of a broader trend throughout Trump’s second term, involving investigations against those who previously investigated Trump, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Adam Schiff.
This targeting has drawn comparisons to historical authoritarian tactics. Legal experts and former officials warn that the same mechanisms could be used against any administration opponents, from judges and journalists to everyday citizens critical on social media.
For Couric and other media figures, the decision is clear: to continue speaking out despite potential risks or remain silent under pressure. Couric’s response to being labeled a “has-been” indicates her determination to maintain her critical voice, aligning with public figures who resist the administration’s measures against dissent.