A report by FASCISMWATCH with the help of A.I.
Early Life and Education
Karoline Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire [1, 2]. She is the youngest of four children to Bob and Erin Leavitt [1, 40]. Her parents, who are both self-employed, previously ran an ice cream stand business together [1, 40]. Her father owns a car dealership, and her mother is a certified yoga teacher [40]. Leavitt credits her parents with instilling in her a strong work ethic and values [40]. She attended Central Catholic High School and graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2019 with a degree in communications and political science [1, 2, 41].
Political Support for Donald Trump Since College
Leavitt's support for Donald Trump began during her college years at Saint Anselm College, where she was an intern at Fox News during the 2016 New Hampshire primary [24, 27]. This experience, coupled with an encounter with Donald Trump, solidified her interest in politics and media [24, 41]. Her actions and public statements have demonstrated that she views him as a hero and a role model, which has led to her unwavering loyalty [24, 27, 44]. During her time at college, her writings for the school newspaper, the Saint Anselm Crier, reflected a conservative viewpoint, and she specifically wrote in defense of Trump's 2017 travel ban and criticized the news media [23]. After graduating in 2019, she was offered a full-time job in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence during Trump's first administration, and by June 2020, she was an assistant White House press secretary [1, 24].
Career
Leavitt's political career began as an intern in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence during the first Trump administration [1, 2]. She later served as an assistant White House press secretary and then as communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik [1]. The article, "Trump's press secretary is the corrupt monster he's always wanted," describes Leavitt as being a "perfect fit" for Donald Trump and highlights her work for Stefanik and in the first Trump administration as key moments [19]. The article also mentions that after the January 6th insurrection, she deleted social media posts that described the event as a "dark day" and praised a police officer as a "hero," before fully embracing and promoting debunked election fraud claims [19]. In 2022, she ran for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, winning the Republican primary but losing the general election [1, 5]. She was the national press secretary for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign before being appointed as White House Press Secretary for the second Trump administration in 2025, making her the youngest person to hold the position since 1969 [1, 2, 19, 41].
Political Views
Leavitt is a staunch conservative who supports policies such as tax cuts, deregulation, and what she refers to as "traditional American values" [1]. She has expressed anti-abortion stances and is known for her criticism of the mainstream media [1, 2]. According to a report from The Washington Post in March 2025, Leavitt privately believed Trump had lost the 2020 election, despite her public statements to the contrary [1]. The article also points to her "almost unhinged ability to spin for Trump," such as calling his campaign "disciplined" after disastrous press conferences, and her "monomaniacal vigilance to create an alternative reality" for him [19].
Donald Trump: Public Perception and Controversies
As a political figure whom Karoline Leavitt considers a "role model," Donald Trump has been the subject of numerous criminal, civil, and ethical controversies [24, 27, 44]. Leavitt has been vocal about her admiration for him, saying in a 2025 briefing, "There has never been a president who communicates with the American people and the American press corps as openly and authentically as the 45th and now 47th president of the United States" [29].
Trump's "Creepy" Comments about Leavitt: In an interview with Newsmax in early August 2025, Trump gave an unusual compliment to Leavitt, stating, "It's that face.1 It's that brain. It's those lips, the way they move. They move like she's a machine gun." These comments have been widely deemed as "creepy," "sexist," and "unprofessional" by critics on social media, with many drawing connections to his past with Jeffrey Epstein and accusing him of workplace sexual harassment [3, 70, 71, 72].2
Criminal Convictions and Charges: Donald Trump was convicted in New York on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up an extramarital affair [46, 47]. He was sentenced to an "unconditional discharge," which meant he did not face jail time, fines, or probation, but the conviction made him the first U.S. president to be a convicted felon [46]. He has faced other indictments, including a federal case regarding classified documents and an election obstruction case, but these have since been dismissed or are not moving forward during his presidency [47].
Racism Allegations: Trump has a long history of accusations of racism [49]. In 1973, the U.S. Department of Justice sued him and his company for housing discrimination against African-American renters, a case that was eventually settled [49]. The complaint alleged that the firm committed systemic violations of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, with evidence from "testers" showing that Black applicants were either told no apartments were available or steered to complexes with a higher proportion of racial minorities [65]. The lawsuit also alleged that Trump employees used codes to indicate if applicants were Black [65]. Trump and his father settled the lawsuit in 1975 without admitting guilt, but the agreement required them to implement safeguards to prevent future discrimination [65]. He has made comments viewed as racist by many, such as telling four congresswomen of color to "go back to the countries they came from" and more recently, being condemned by the Congressional Black Caucus for remarks blaming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for a plane-helicopter crash [49, 50].
Fred Trump and the KKK: In 1927, Donald Trump's father, Fred Trump, was arrested in Queens, New York, during a violent clash between police and a Ku Klux Klan march on Memorial Day [66, 67]. News reports from the time confirmed that Fred Trump, then 21, was one of seven men arrested [67]. His address, as listed in the newspaper, matched his home at the time [67]. While some articles from the period described all seven men as "berobed marchers," and another noted that he shared an attorney with the others, the charges against Fred Trump for "refusing to disperse from a parade" were dismissed, and no conclusive evidence has ever proven he was a member of the Klan [67]. Donald Trump has repeatedly denied that his father was involved, calling the reports "totally false" and stating it "never happened" [68].
Endorsement by KKK and David Duke: In 2016, David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, endorsed Donald Trump's presidential campaign [61]. Trump was asked multiple times to disavow the endorsement but initially said he did not know anything about Duke, stating, "I don't know anything about David Duke. OK? I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists" [61]. His rivals for the Republican nomination, including Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, publicly condemned his comments, with Rubio stating, "We cannot be a party who refuses to condemn white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan" [61]. Trump later tweeted that he did disavow Duke, and later claimed that a "very bad earpiece" was to blame for his comments during the interview [61]. This was not the first time Trump had spoken about Duke; in 2000, when he was considering a presidential run for the Reform Party, he cited Duke as a reason for not running, calling him a "Klansman" and saying, "This is not company I wish to keep" [61].
Praise from White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis: Trump's State of the Union address in 2018 was praised by white supremacists and neo-Nazis for his comments on immigration [64]. Figures like former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, alt-right figure Richard Spencer, and neo-Nazi website operator Andrew Anglin all expressed support for Trump's speech and policies [64]. The article noted that while Trump often criticizes violence by Muslims or immigrants, he has been less vocal about violence carried out by the far right, a stance that has drawn criticism [64].
Jeffrey Epstein Connection: New images and archives from CNN reveal that Trump and Jeffrey Epstein knew each other since the 1990s. They were seen together at multiple events between 1990 and 2000, including Trump's wedding to Marla Maples in 1993, and Victoria's Secret fashion shows in 1997 and 1999. Video footage also shows them laughing and talking together. In a 2002 New York Magazine article, Trump described Epstein as a "great guy" whom he had known for 15 years and confirmed he had traveled on Epstein's private jets at least seven times [51, 58]. Their relationship reportedly ended around 2004 over a real estate dispute [52, 58]. Trump has offered different explanations for their falling out, including that Epstein "stole" employees from his Mar-a-Lago resort [52]. According to a conversation with someone who frequently talks to Trump, the president was shocked by the speculation that he was involved in Epstein's death, stating, "They say I killed Epstein. I didn't have Epstein killed." When asked if he thought Epstein was killed, Trump responded, "A lot of people wanted him dead." The White House has called the author of the report a "lying sack of s--t" [55]. Virginia Giuffre's family expressed outrage over Trump's comments, particularly his claim that Epstein "stole" Giuffre while she worked at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Trump, during a speech on Air Force One, confirmed that Giuffre met Epstein at Mar-a-Lago before she was recruited to be a masseuse for him. Giuffre's family questions whether Trump was aware of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal activities, citing a past comment where Trump allegedly called Epstein his "good friend" and said he "likes younger women, there is no doubt" [57]. Ghislaine Maxwell is considered central to the conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, particularly in the "MAGA" movement, which has doubted the official suicide ruling [56]. These theories suggest Epstein was killed to prevent him from revealing the identities of powerful clients, including those named in unsealed documents like Prince Andrew, Alan Dershowitz, David Copperfield, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump [56].
Diddy "White Parties" Controversy: An article from a dancer has reportedly revealed details about Donald Trump being a guest at Sean "Diddy" Combs' "white parties" [59]. While the full details from the article could not be retrieved, it is known that Trump and his then-wife Marla Maples were among the guests at some of Combs' parties in the 1990s [59].
Hitler and Fascism Comments: John Kelly, Trump's former chief of staff, has claimed that Trump once said Adolf Hitler "did some good things" and expressed a desire to have generals with the same loyalty as Hitler's generals [60]. Kelly also reportedly stated that Trump "certainly falls into the general definition of a fascist" due to his authoritarian tendencies [60]. Trump's campaign has denied these claims, referring to them as "debunked stories he has fabricated" [60].
Misogyny Allegations: Trump has been accused of misogyny and sexual misconduct by numerous women [54].3 The "Access Hollywood" tape from 2005, in which he bragged about grabbing women, is a widely cited example [53]. A New York jury found him liable for the sexual abuse and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll, though not for rape, awarding her nearly $90 million in damages across two civil trials [54, 53]. The verdict in that case branded him a "sexual predator" in a civil context [53].
The Unabomber Anecdote: During an address, President Trump claimed that his uncle, John Trump, a former professor at MIT, had taught Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. He described a conversation with his uncle about Kaczynski being a "seriously good" student. However, fact-checks revealed that Kaczynski never attended MIT; he went to Harvard and the University of Michigan. Furthermore, John Trump died in 1985, while Kaczynski was not publicly identified as the Unabomber until 1996. When confronted with these factual inaccuracies by a reporter, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump by praising his uncle as an intelligent professor and expressing that the President was proud of his family. She did not, however, offer a clear explanation for the factual discrepancies in the anecdote [69].
Communication Style as Press Secretary and Controversies
Leavitt's communication style is often described as combative, direct, and unapologetically pro-Trump [1, 2]. She has been noted for her frequent clashes with journalists, whom she has referred to as "left-wing stenographers" [1]. Her approach to press briefings has included a shift in policy, welcoming what she calls "new voices" like independent journalists and social media influencers into the White House press pool, while also creating a separation from the traditional media [1]. The New Republic describes her as being known for her "comically obsequious praise" of Trump and for delivering absurd statements with "unflappable smugness" [43].4
The Guardian describes her debut press briefing on January 28, 2025, as "slick," "pugnacious," and fiercely loyal to President Trump [31]. During the briefing, she defended Trump's federal funding freeze and immigration crackdown and referred to him as "the most transparent and accessible president in American history" and "the hardest-working man in politics" [31]. The article notes that she is the most finely honed version of Trump's past press secretaries and personifies what the author calls the "Trump 2.0 upgrade," which is described as "faster, smarter, leaner, meaner, and better organized" [31].
An article from The Independent, published on June 18, 2025, details how White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blocked Associated Press (AP) reporters from covering White House events [35]. Leavitt's justification for the action was that the administration was "holding 'lies accountable'" because the AP refused to adopt the name "Gulf of America" in place of "Gulf of Mexico," a name designated in an executive order by President Trump [35]. Leavitt stated that access to the Oval Office is a privilege, not a right, and that the AP's refusal to use the new name was a "lie" that the administration was holding them accountable for [35]. In response, the AP's Executive Editor, Julie Pace, and several other press organizations condemned the action as an assault on press freedom [35].
According to an analysis by the Columbia Journalism Review, published on July 25, 2025, Leavitt's briefing room style has created a "surreal" atmosphere [33]. The article describes her as happy and relaxed, while the mood among the journalists is tense [33]. Reporters, speaking anonymously, described her as abrasive and her comments as absurd [33]. She has reportedly barred certain news outlets, such as the Associated Press, and denied access to wire services with little explanation [33]. In their place, she has invited what the article calls "newcomers" and "activists" who have been seen complimenting her and praising Trump [33]. The press corps, fearing being shut out, has shown a lack of solidarity, which the article says Leavitt is taking advantage of [33]. The article concludes that her briefings are a performance for an audience of one: Donald Trump, who is reportedly very happy with her work [33].
A recent article from Atlanta Black Star, published on June 29, 2025, and a report from The Independent, published on July 28, 2025, both highlight a controversy regarding her cross necklace [34, 38]. Comedian Jon Stewart mocked the necklace on his show, joking that it grows bigger the more she lies [34, 38]. Following this, the necklace was "suddenly and noticeably missing" during a briefing, leading viewers to believe she had stopped wearing it due to the mockery [38]. However, the necklace made a "quiet return" on a June 25 Fox News appearance, which reignited criticism, with viewers calling her a "fake Christian" and comparing her to Trump [38]. The Independent also mentions she had previously told the Christian Broadcasting Network that her faith was incredibly important to her, and quotes a past criticism from Andy Levy on "The New Abnormal" podcast, who noted that she was "lying with a cross around her neck," in violation of the ninth commandment [34].
Controversy over "Made in China" Dress
An international backlash arose over a red dress worn by Leavitt that Chinese officials and social media users claimed was "Made in China." The controversy was centered on the perceived hypocrisy of Leavitt, a member of an administration with a hard stance in the ongoing trade war with China, wearing a dress manufactured in the country [45]. The Chinese envoy, Zhang Zhishen, fueled the backlash by posting on social media a claim from Weibo users that the dress's lace was made in a factory in Mabu, China [45]. This led to ridicule from Chinese social media users who pointed out the inconsistency between the administration's protectionist policies and the origin of her clothing [45].
Reasons for Being Called 'Annoying'
According to a Salon article, published on June 23, 2025, critics find Karoline Leavitt annoying for a number of reasons [32]. Her public persona is described as "trolling the media" and "gaslighting the public" [32]. She is also often criticized for her "grating voice" and "smug visage," and for having a "perpetual tight-lipped outrage" expression [32]. The article also notes that critics, particularly progressive, college-educated women on social media, often call her a "gold digger" and mock her for her clothing and her marriage to a man more than twice her age [32]. She is also accused of using bad-faith retorts to deflect from questions about topics like Pride month and Juneteenth, and making nonsensical statements, such as Trump's decision on a war in "two weeks" [32].
Blunders and Public Missteps
The article "Karoline Leavitt's Biggest Blunders We Couldn't Ignore" highlights several of her public missteps [30]. These include her coining the phrase "grocery pump" when discussing the high cost of groceries, which became a viral sensation and led to the creation of a satirical social media account [30]. She also mistakenly said that President Trump was "fighting law and order" during an interview [30]. In a Fox News interview, she incorrectly suggested a deceased firefighter, Corey Comperatore, would be in attendance at a Trump address [30]. She was also left "red faced" when a reporter questioned her on the Epstein case, after she was unable to reconcile a statement from Attorney General Pam Bondi about an Epstein "client list" with the Department of Justice's official findings that no such list existed [1.5]. Additionally, a clip of her fumbling over the word "rigorously" during a press briefing and then laughing it off went viral, with critics mocking the gaffe [2.1]. Finally, the article points out a grammatical error on Fox News, where she said the government would be made "more efficiency" [30]. The specific dates for these individual blunders are not available in the sources. A separate report from Atlanta Black Star on March 20, 2025, adds more detail to one of her public missteps [39]. The article states that during a briefing, she called Judge James Boasberg an "activist judge" and a "Democrat activist" who was "appointed by Barack Obama" [39]. A reporter, Garrett Haake of NBC, corrected her, stating that Boasberg was originally appointed by George W. Bush and then elevated by Obama [39]. The report notes that Leavitt did not acknowledge the correction [39].
Other Controversies
The Nobel Peace Prize Push: In late July 2025, Leavitt reasserted the administration's demand that Donald Trump be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She claimed he had brokered "on average about one peace deal or ceasefire per month" during his first six months in office.5 She cited his involvement in conflicts between nations like Israel-Iran, Rwanda-DRC, and India-Pakistan. She specifically claimed he helped deliver an "unconditional ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia." However, this claim was disputed by other sources, which reported that the ceasefire was announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after he facilitated discussions between leaders of the two countries, and that the U.S. was a "co-organizer" of the talks rather than the sole force behind the deal [73, 76]. Furthermore, India has flatly denied Trump's claims of mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the matter is bilateral and no third-party intervention took place [76].
Ty Cobb's Nickname for Leavitt: Former Trump lawyer Ty Cobb gave Leavitt the nickname "Creepy Karoline" after she criticized judges who ruled against Trump's tariff plans [42]. During a CNN interview, Cobb said he doesn't believe anyone takes "Creepy Karoline" seriously on matters of substance [42]. He described her comments as "defensive" and "ill-informed," and said she is "not learned by any imagination" [42]. Leavitt had claimed the judicial system was being "railroaded by activist judges" and vowed to take the ruling to the Supreme Court [42]. The article notes that Leavitt is 27 years old and is the youngest White House press secretary, and is favored by the MAGA movement and the Trump administration for her "cutthroat jibes" [42].6
"DOGE" and "Condomgate": During her first White House briefing on January 29, 2025, Leavitt claimed the "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" had found and blocked "$50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza" [21, 27, 36]. She called this a "preposterous waste of taxpayer money." This claim was amplified by President Trump, who added that the contraceptives were being used by a terror group to fashion improvised bombs [21]. An administration official later provided a crucial clarification, stating that the $50 million was part of a broader aid package for medical services in Gaza and not exclusively for condoms [21]. The Daily Kos article states that Leavitt's claim was a "complete lie" and that none of the $60.8 million spent on contraception aid by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was sent to Gaza or the Middle East [36]. The article also noted that the aid package authorized for Gaza paid for essential services like food, water, and emergency shelters, and that Trump himself had spent about $40 million on contraception aid during his first term [36]. During the same briefing, Leavitt also announced the Trump administration had blocked a $37 million pending payment to the World Health Organization [21].
"Inappropriate Books": In a May 9, 2025, briefing, Leavitt defended President Trump's decision to fire Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden [14]. Leavitt claimed that Hayden had done "quite concerning things... in the pursuit of DEI and putting inappropriate books in the library for children" [14]. She did not provide details on which books she was referring to or what made them "inappropriate." The article states that the Library of Congress is not a public lending library for children, but it does have a Young Readers Center [14]. The firing followed a campaign by a conservative advocacy group that accused Hayden of promoting "radical sexual ideologies" and being "woke" and "anti-Trump" [14].
South Africa "Genocide" Claim: President Trump made the claim that a "genocide" was taking place in South Africa in May 2025 [9]. On June 14, 2025, Leavitt clashed with NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor over a video shown by Donald Trump to South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa [9]. The video, which Trump claimed showed "burial sites" for white farmers, was used by the President to assert that a "genocide" was occurring in the country [9]. Alcindor pointed out that the crosses in the video represented slain farmers but did not signify actual burial sites or the number of killings Trump alleged [9]. Leavitt rejected this premise, stating that the crosses were a symbol of the deaths of white farmers who had been killed and "politically persecuted" due to their race [9]. She insisted that the government had taken no action and that the crosses were a symbol of their deaths [9].
"Signalgate" Case Closed: Leavitt declared the "Signalgate" case closed, as far as the White House is concerned, on or around July 16, 2025 [20]. She stated that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz would not lose his job and would "continue to be an important part of his national security team" [20]. Leavitt promised that measures would be taken to prevent future mishaps but did not specify what those steps would be [20]. The article, however, notes that just because the White House wants the controversy to be over, doesn't mean it is.
Epstein Files "Hoax": On July 17, 2025, Leavitt defended President Biden's labeling of the renewed focus on the Epstein files as a "hoax" [15]. She accused Democrats of hypocrisy for demanding transparency that they allegedly ignored while in power and stated the administration was conducting a DOJ-led review of the files [15]. She also criticized the media for not focusing on what she considered more important issues [15]. During a press conference, she was also confronted by reporters over the Epstein client list and its possible release [23]. She also faced questions about past statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the list [24].
"Less LGBTQ Graduate Majors": During a Fox News appearance in late May 2025, Leavitt stated that President Trump is more interested in giving taxpayer money to trade schools and state schools that promote "American values" and educate people in skills like plumbing and electrical work [13]. She then made a controversial comment, adding, "We need more of those in our country, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University." This comment was used to justify cutting federal funding to Harvard [13]. The article notes that Harvard does not have an "LGBTQ major" but offers a major and minor in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality [13].
Elon Musk's "Awkward" Behavior: TheList.com reports on several instances of "awkward" and "cringe" behavior from Elon Musk around Leavitt. On her 100th day in office, Leavitt's Instagram post included an "unflattering" image of Musk with a "goofy smile" and tensed posture, which the article likened to a "middle school crush." A viral YouTube clip also reportedly shows Musk "glitching out" behind Leavitt, with the article claiming he was "frantically" trying to avoid looking at her backside. The author attributed this behavior to Musk's "billionaire status and self-obsession" which they believe have had an "adverse effect on his social skills" [74].
Clashes with CNN Personalities
The article "CNN Personalities Who Didn't Hesitate To Put Karoline Leavitt In Her Place" highlights several instances of heated exchanges between Leavitt and journalists on the network [22].
Kaitlan Collins: As a White House correspondent, Collins reportedly sparred with Leavitt during press briefings over issues like the Signal Chat incident and Trump's claims about pardons [22].
Kate Bolduan: During an interview with Leavitt as a campaign spokesperson, Bolduan engaged in a debate over misinformation spread by Trump regarding FEMA spending. Bolduan eventually cut the interview short due to Leavitt's evasiveness [22].
Kasie Hunt: Hunt ended an interview with Leavitt after she accused other CNN anchors, Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, of being biased against Donald Trump. Hunt defended her colleagues and terminated the segment when Leavitt refused to stop making the accusations [22].
Conor McGregor's White House Visit
During a St. Patrick's Day visit to the White House on March 17, 2025, mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor met with President Donald Trump [10, 11]. At the event, McGregor criticized the Irish government, claiming they had "abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland" and complained about an "illegal immigration racket" running "ravage on the country" [10, 11]. He claimed he was there to highlight the issue of immigration, a key focus for Trump [11]. These remarks were immediately condemned by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who stated that McGregor's comments were "wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland" [10, 11].
Personal Life and Family
Karoline Leavitt and real estate developer Nicholas Riccio met in 2022 [1, 2, 27]. They got engaged in late 2023 and were married in January 2025 [3]. Their son, Nicholas "Niko" Robert Riccio, was born on July 10, 2024 [1, 27]. Leavitt's net worth is estimated to be around $7 million, with an annual income of approximately $1.5 million [1]. Her White House salary is reported to be $195,200 a year [1]. Her husband's net worth is estimated at $6 million, largely due to his real estate portfolio [6]. Riccio built his multimillion-dollar real estate company, Riccio Enterprises LLC, which owns properties in New Hampshire and West Virginia [6]. There is a 32-year age gap between them [7, 2.2, 3.1].
According to a report from Women.com, there are several potential "red flags" in the marriage [7]. The article highlights the 32-year age gap, pointing out that while some such relationships work, it can create a power imbalance [7]. The report also notes their differing personalities—Leavitt is an extrovert while Riccio is an introvert—and their different views on social media, which could potentially lead to resentment or communication issues [7]. Additionally, the article suggests a potential imbalance in childcare and domestic responsibilities, as Riccio has a more flexible job and is often the one to accommodate their relationship and care for their son [7]. A new source, Nicki Swift, reveals that Nicholas Riccio has a connection to former President George W. Bush [8]. In 2005, Riccio had a chance encounter with Bush at the Pease International Tradeport in New Hampshire [8]. Riccio, who has a long-standing aspiration to own a professional sports franchise, spoke with Bush about his dream, as the former president was once an owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team [8].
Maternity Leave
Leavitt cut her maternity leave short just four days after the birth of her son on July 10, 2024, in response to an assassination attempt on President Trump on July 13, 2024 [27]. She stated, "The president literally put his life on the line to win this election. The least I could do is get back to work quickly." She acknowledged that being away from her newborn was "incredibly challenging emotionally, physically, spiritually" [27].
Financial Matters
Campaign Debt: Her 2022 congressional campaign, "Karoline for Congress," is still more than $300,000 in debt [4, 27]. An investigation by NOTUS, referenced by Salon, revealed that approximately two-thirds of this debt is from refunds owed to donors who exceeded legal contribution limits, an obligation the article states Leavitt has yet to fulfill [16]. A disclosure filed with the Federal Election Commission on July 6, 2025, shows the campaign still has a debt of $326,370.50 and zero cash on hand [4]. The organization End Citizens United, which originally accused her campaign of unlawfully accepting contributions beyond legal limits, claims that their new financial filings validate their initial complaint [16]. As of late July 2025, a new report from People.com states that the campaign debt remains over $300,000 and the campaign has repaid only five donors in 2025, two of whom are her parents. The report also notes that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) cannot issue a ruling on the case due to a lack of commissioners [4.5].
Fashion: Leavitt has faced criticism for her expensive fashion choices, including a $4,800 Louis Vuitton Monogram Messenger bag [18]. Critics have questioned how she can afford such items on a government salary, especially amid concerns about inflation and the economic divide [18]. Her husband, a millionaire real estate developer, is cited as a potential source of her wealth [18].
Sources:
Wikipedia. "Karoline Leavitt". Last updated August 5, 2025.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Karoline Leavitt". Edited by the Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Last updated August 5, 2025.
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The Advocate. "Karoline Leavitt calls for 'less LGBTQ graduates' from Harvard". By Christopher Wiggins. Published May 23, 2025.
LGBTQ Nation. "Karoline Leavitt defends firing Librarian of Congress over 'inappropriate books'." By Alex Bollinger. Published May 9, 2025.
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Times of India. "White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Under Fire for Flaunting $4,800 Louis Vuitton Handbag". By Anirban Chowdhury. Published May 16, 2025.
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The Independent. "Karoline Leavitt's First Press Briefing Declares 'Condomgate,' Blocks World Health Organization Payment". By Joe Sommerlad. Published January 29, 2025.
The List. "CNN Personalities Who Didn't Hesitate To Put Karoline Leavitt In Her Place". By Beth Helling. Published June 19, 2025.
Platinum Media Group. "Big Story: Karoline Leavitt". By the editorial staff. Published July 17, 2025.
The Independent. "Who is Karoline Leavitt? Gen Z Trump megafan turned youngest-ever White House press secretary".8 By Joe Sommerlad. Published January 28, 2025.
CNN. "White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt falsely claimed that Pres...". By Daniel Dale. Published July 16, 2025.
Nicki Swift. "The Tragic Truth About Karoline Leavitt's Husband, Nicholas Riccio". By Alice R. Smith. Published June 11, 2025.
Nicki Swift. "Weird Things Everyone Ignores About Karoline Leavitt". By Amanda Ray Byerly. Published April 3, 2025.
The Saint Anselm Crier. "Karoline Leavitt '19 to take podium as Trump's press secretary". By Hannah Lacasse. Published January 20, 2025.
The White House. "Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt". By The White House Press Office. Published August 5, 2025.
The List. "Karoline Leavitt's Biggest Blunders We Couldn't Ignore". By Beth Helling. Published June 23, 2025.
The Guardian. "Trump's new press secretary Karoline Leavitt: at 27, she is the youngest person in the role".9 By Martin Pengelly. Published January 28, 2025.
Salon. "Why Karoline Leavitt is so annoying". By Amanda Marcotte. Published June 23, 2025.
Columbia Journalism Review. "Karoline Leavitt's surreal briefing room". By Michael M. Grynbaum. Published July 25, 2025.
The Independent. "Karoline Leavitt ditches cross necklace after Jon Stewart mocks her over it". By Joe Sommerlad. Published July 28, 2025.
The Independent. "Trump's press secretary defends blocking reporters from White House events after AP refused to use 'Gulf of America'". By Joe Sommerlad. Published June 18, 2025.
Daily Kos. "Trump's press secretary caught in ridiculous lie about condoms". By David Neiwert. Published February 1, 2025.
Daily Kos. "Trump's press secretary caught in ridiculous lie about condoms". By David Neiwert. Published February 1, 2025.
Atlanta Black Star. "Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Humiliated for Wearing Diamond Cross While Spewing Lies, Then It Vanished Until Viewers Noticed Something Strange". By Taja Wilson. Published June 29, 2025.
Atlanta Black Star. "Reporter Fact-Checks Press Secretary After She Engages In Careless Name-Calling of Judge". By Taja Wilson. Published March 20, 2025.
Tuko.co.ke. "Who are Karoline Leavitt's parents, Bob and Erin Leavitt? What to know". By Zipporah Musyoka. Published January 27, 2025.
Nicki Swift. "Karoline Leavitt's Transformation From A Child To Now". By Alice R. Smith. Published April 3, 2025.
The Independent. "Trump lawyer gives Karoline Leavitt new nickname as he tears into her 'defensive' comments". By Joe Sommerlad. Published July 1, 2025.
New Republic. "The Press Secretary of Creepy Flattery Takes a Darker Turn". By Alex Shephard. Published March 11, 2025.
Atlanta Black Star. "Karoline Leavitt Demands Trump Get Nobel Peace Prize". By Taja Wilson. Published July 28, 2025.
The Economic Times. "Karoline Leavitt's 'Made in China' dress sets off international backlash as Beijing uses moment to publicly embarrass Donald Trump; Chinese envoy trolls her". By Dipankar Singh. Published May 18, 2025.
PBS News. "How Trump avoided punishment for his felony convictions". By Dan Eggen and Ashley Parker. Published July 11, 2024.
Wikipedia. "Indictments against Donald Trump". Last updated August 5, 2025.
CBC News. "Donald Trump is the 1st convicted felon president. Here's what that means". By Peter Zimonjic. Published July 11, 2024.
Wikipedia. "Racial views of Donald Trump". Last updated August 5, 2025.
The Grio. "Black leaders condemn Trump's 'racist' remarks which blamed DEI for D.C. plane-helicopter crash". By TheGrio Staff. Published July 17, 2025.
NDTV. "Donald Trump And Jeffrey Epstein: What Was Their Relationship?". By NDTV News Desk. Published July 16, 2025.
PBS News. "The facts and timeline of Trump and Epstein's falling out". By Dan Eggen and Ashley Parker. Published May 2, 2025.
The Guardian. "The more women accuse him, the better he does: the meaning and misogyny of the Trump-Carroll case". By Arwa Mahdawi. Published May 10, 2025.
The Guardian. "A 'gut punch': Trump's alleged sexual assault victims and their advocates on his win". By Jessica Glenza. Published November 6, 2024.
Yahoo News. "Trump rages after claim he killed Epstein, new report says". By Joe Sommerlad. Published July 29, 2025.
Al Jazeera. "Why is Ghislaine Maxwell so central to Trump-Epstein conspiracy theories". By Al Jazeera Staff. Published July 17, 2025.
TVA Nouvelles. "Virginia Giuffre, volée par Jeffrey Epstein: sa famille outrée par les propos de Donald Trump". By Agence QMI. Published July 26, 2025.
Journal de Québec. "Des images de Donald Trump et Jeffrey Epstein révèlent qu’il se connaissaient depuis les années 1980". By L'Agence QMI. Published July 16, 2025.
MSN. "Was Donald Trump a guest at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' white parties? Here's what a dancer is revealing". By MSN Lifestyle Staff. Published May 1, 2025.
PBS News. "Trump said Hitler 'did some good things' and wanted generals like the Nazis, former chief of staff Kelly claims". By Dan Eggen and Ashley Parker. Published May 2, 2025.
FactCheck.org. "Trump's David Duke Amnesia". By Eugene Kiely. Published March 1, 2016.
CBC News. "Donald Trump blames 'bad earpiece' for not disavowing support of former KKK leader David Duke | CBC News". By The Canadian Press. Published March 3, 2016.
The Guardian. "Trump wavers on calls to condemn former KKK leader and hate groups - The Guardian". By Martin Pengelly. Published February 28, 2016.
Al Jazeera. "Neo-Nazis and white supremacists celebrate Trump's SOTU". By Al Jazeera Staff. Published January 31, 2018.
Clearinghouse.net. "Case: United States v. Fred C. Trump, Donald Trump, and Trump Management, Inc.". By the National Housing Law Project. Published July 1973.
PolitiFact. "Here's what's known about Fred Trump's arrest after a KKK clash". By Louis Jacobson. Published July 20, 2016.
Queens Gazette. "President Trump's Father & The Ku Klux Klan - A Historic Question Answered". By the editorial staff. Published October 25, 2017.
The Guardian. "Making the man: to understand Trump, look at his relationship with his dad". By Michael D'Antonio. Published June 25, 2017.
MSNBC. "White House struggles to defend Trump's 'Unabomber' anecdote from ridicule". By Steve Benen. Published July 28, 2025.
Yahoo News. "'WTF': Trump's 'Creepy' Praise Of Karoline Leavitt's Lips Is Grossing People Out". By Jenna Amatulli. Published August 7, 2025.
Yahoo News Canada. "'It's Those Lips': Trump, 79, Goes Gaga for Karoline Leavitt, 27".10 By Jenna Amatulli. Published August 7, 2025.
Economic Times. "'It's That Face, Those Lips': us president donald Trump Praises White House Secretary Karoline Leavitt". By Anjana Singh. Published August 7, 2025.
Times of India. "'One peace deal per month': White House pushes for Nobel Peace Prize for Donald Trump; cites India-Pak conflict".11 By Anirban Chowdhury. Published July 28, 2025.
The List. "Elon Musk's Awkward Behavior Around Karoline Leavitt, Explained". By Beth Helling. Published June 28, 2025.
People.com. "Karoline Leavitt's 2022 Congressional Campaign Is Still More than $300K in Debt After Spending Illegal Donations". By Rachel Raposas. Published July 31, 2025.
Economic Times. "White House demands Nobel Peace prize for Trump, claims he resolved six conflicts in six months, including India-Pakistan". By Anjana Singh. Published July 28, 2025.
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