Topics: US News, Politics, Donald Trump
Days after announcing her second pregnancy, Karoline Leavitt has been accused of 'editing' images of her considerably older husband, Nicholas Riccio.
The 28-year-old White House press secretary took to Instagram on Boxing Day to reveal that her family are expecting a new addition.
"The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for - a baby girl coming in May 2026," she captioned a snap of her blossoming bump. "My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother.
"My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth."
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Leavitt added: "I am also extremely grateful to President Trump and our Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for their support, and for fostering a pro-family environment in the White House. 2026 is going to be a great year and I am so excited to be a girl mom!"
The political advisor already shares a 17-month-old son, Nicholas 'Niko', with her businessman other-half, whom she met through a mutual friend in 2023 during her congressional campaign.
The couple announced their engagement that same year and tied the knot this January - days ahead of Republican leader Trump's second inauguration.
As we say, following news of her second pregnancy, questions have been raised over Leavitt and 60-year-old Riccio's relationship, given that the pair were born 32 years apart.
The revelation also spurred some social media users to take a deep dive into Leavitt's Instagram account, where they found only a handful of photos of her and Riccio together.
The images they did find, however, have been subjected to further criticism, with Leavitt being accused of 'de-aging' her hubby.
In the comments of a family snap shared by the press sec on Halloween, one user wrote: "Karoline, Awesome picture but my friends noticed something: The guy on the left seems to have only his face photoshopped.
"His hands look like 60+ years old. What happened?"
Another eagle-eyed follower agreed, asking: "Old man hands blow your cover up Karoline. Your husband's face does not match his hands."
"Man that smoothing filter on her old man’s forehead working overtime," a third added.
"Adobe ad for Photoshop," a fourth quipped.
No matter what critics have said about her cross-generational marriage, Leavitt maintains that Riccio is the best thing that could have happened to her.
Asked by Pod Force One podcast host Miranda Devine last year, 'Could you not find boys your own age?', Leavitt candidly confessed: "Honestly no, if you want to know the truth. But he's amazing. We fell in love, and here we are today.
"We're married with a beautiful baby. He's just an amazing guy."
Of her husband, she added: "He's introverted, unlike me. He stays behind the scenes, he's very private, which I respect. He's a self-made man, with a successful real estate business back home.
"He's build his career, and so, he's in a place where he can support me in mine."
Leavitt continued to gush: "So, he's an incredibly hands-on father. He and my son are the best of friends."
