Karoline Leavitt made history on Tuesday as the youngest White House press secretary, stepping into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room to deliver her first official remarks.
At just 27 years old, Leavitt addressed the media shortly after 1 p.m. ET, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to communication and transparency.
Karoline Leavitt, a 27-year-old New Hampshire native, has taken on the role of White House press secretary, making history as the youngest person to ever hold the position.
Before stepping into this role, she was a spokesperson for the Trump 2024 presidential campaign, where she became a familiar face on television. As one of the early hires for the campaign, she worked alongside multiple spokespeople but stood out as the most visible in media appearances.
Leavitt, who recently welcomed a baby, now replaces Ronald Ziegler as the youngest White House press secretary. Ziegler previously held the record when he was appointed at the age of 29 in 1969 during Richard Nixon’s administration.
Standing at the podium, Leavitt highlighted the administration’s efforts, stating, “As you have seen during the past week, President Trump is hard at work fulfilling the promises that he made to the American people on the campaign trail.”
Leavitt reaffirmed the administration’s openness to traditional media outlets while also acknowledging the growing influence of alternative media. She emphasized that independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators would have opportunities to engage with the White House, reflecting a modernized approach to press relations.
“I can assure you that you’ll be hearing from both him and me as much as possible,” Leavitt assured reporters, signaling a proactive approach to media engagement.
Taking the job as a mom
Karoline Leavitt continues a trend in the White House press office, becoming the sixth consecutive working mother to take on the role. She follows in the footsteps of President Joe Biden’s press secretaries, Karine Jean-Pierre and Jen Psaki, as well as Trump’s first-term press secretaries, Kayleigh McEnany, Stephanie Grisham, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Balancing work and motherhood, Leavitt returned to her duties just days after giving birth to her son, Nicholas, in July 2024. In an October interview with The Conservateur, she recalled how, only three days into her maternity leave, she was at home watching television with her newborn when she witnessed the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I looked at my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work,’” she told the outlet. The very next day, she was back on television.
Leavitt has been candid about the emotional and physical challenges of taking on such a demanding role while raising an infant. “Leaving the baby every day to go to work, it does break your heart,” she admitted. “It’s incredibly challenging emotionally, physically, spiritually.”
Who is Karoline Leavitt’s husband?
Karoline Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, though the couple has chosen to keep the details of their wedding private. Leavitt has publicly referred to Riccio as her husband in statements and on social media, confirming their marriage.
Their relationship first gained public attention when Leavitt announced their engagement in 2023. She shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post, featuring a photo of Riccio proposing. The two met through a mutual friend at a political event, and their connection quickly grew.
Riccio, who is 32 years older than Leavitt, is a successful real estate investor and developer. He owns Riccio Enterprises LLC, a multimillion-dollar property business, which has established him as a key figure in the industry.
What did Trump say about Karoline Leavitt?
When announcing Karoline Leavitt as the new White House press secretary in November, Donald Trump praised her as “smart, tough,” and “a highly effective communicator.”
In his statement, Trump expressed full confidence in her abilities, emphasizing her capability to handle the role with excellence. “I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American People as we Make America Great Again,” he stated.
Leavitt’s appointment marked a significant moment in the administration, as she took on the responsibility of representing the White House and reinforcing the president’s vision through direct communication with the media and the public.
