Why Karoline Leavitt Says Motherhood Comes With Guilt

Karoline Leavitt has rapidly emerged as one of the most recognizable figures in the Trump administration. At just 28 years old, she made history by becoming the youngest White House Press Secretary ever appointed. Her confident presence at the podium and unwavering loyalty to the administration have propelled her into the global spotlight.

Yet despite her daily visibility and rising prominence, much of Leavitt’s personal life has remained largely out of public view. Behind the cameras, she is not only a political spokesperson but also a wife and mother—navigating the intense demands of national politics while raising a young family. Married to a man 32 years her senior, Leavitt has openly acknowledged the emotional challenges of balancing motherhood with one of the most demanding jobs in Washington, admitting she often feels guilty about time spent away from her son.

A Familiar Face in an Unfamiliar Place

Though her age might suggest otherwise, Leavitt has been connected to the White House for much of her professional life. Few people in their twenties ever come close to working at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, let alone holding a senior communications role. Her rise has been swift and striking, especially during one of the most politically polarized periods in modern American history—an era she has witnessed from the front lines.

Early Life and Values

Born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire, Leavitt was raised with a strong work ethic. Her parents owned an ice cream stand, where she worked during summers, learning responsibility and discipline early on. She later attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where her faith-based education played a significant role in shaping her worldview.

Speaking on The Catholic Current podcast in 2021, Leavitt credited her Catholic schooling with instilling discipline, strengthening her relationship with God, and teaching her the importance of service to others and civic engagement.

College, Softball, and Political Ambition

Leavitt went on to attend Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, earning a softball scholarship and playing outfield for the Saint Anselm Hawks. While athletics and politics may seem unrelated, she has often said that the discipline, teamwork, and competitive mindset she developed through sports prepared her for the pressures of political life.

In interviews with Christian Broadcasting Network, she emphasized how watching her parents work hard—and competing in sports—taught her perseverance, self-discipline, and accountability, all of which translated seamlessly into her career in Washington.

During college, Leavitt actively pursued her political interests. She founded the Saint Anselm Broadcasting Club, volunteered with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, and wrote for the college newspaper, The Saint Anselm Crier. One of her most widely discussed articles, published in 2016, strongly defended Donald Trump and criticized what she described as media bias surrounding his policies.

First Steps Inside the White House

Leavitt’s direct exposure to the White House began in 2018 when she secured an internship as a presidential writer in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. She later recalled skipping college football tailgates to complete her application, believing the opportunity outweighed any social sacrifice.

After spending a semester abroad at John Cabot University in Rome, she returned to the U.S. and completed her degree—becoming the first member of her family to earn a college diploma. From 2019 to 2021, she served as assistant press secretary under then–Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, helping prepare daily briefings and learning the mechanics of high-level political messaging.

From Campaigns to the Podium

Following Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election, Leavitt continued advancing her career. She became Director of Communications for Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and soon launched her own congressional campaign in New Hampshire’s 1st District.

Although she won the Republican primary, she ultimately lost the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas. Still, her visibility and messaging skills earned her a role as national press secretary during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Just days after Trump’s victory, Leavitt was appointed White House Press Secretary—breaking the age record previously held by Ronald Ziegler, who assumed the role at 29 under President Nixon.

Trump praised her publicly, calling her “smart, tough, and a highly effective communicator,” and expressed confidence that she would help deliver the administration’s message to the American people.

Family Life Behind the Scenes

While her professional life unfolds daily in front of reporters, Leavitt’s private life centers on family. She met her husband, Nicholas Riccio, during her congressional campaign in 2022. Riccio, a successful businessman 32 years her senior, proposed in late 2023.

Leavitt has described their relationship as unconventional but deeply supportive. The couple welcomed their first child, son Niko, in July 2024 and married shortly thereafter, just days before Trump’s inauguration.

Despite giving birth only days before a major political crisis—including an assassination attempt on Trump—Leavitt returned to work quickly, saying she felt compelled to stand by the campaign during a historic moment.

Trump later personally called to check on her and her newborn, an interaction she described as deeply meaningful, recalling a warm conversation that included both the president and Melania Trump.

Balancing Power and Parenthood

Today, Leavitt and Riccio are expecting their second child, a daughter due in May 2026. She has spoken openly about the difficulty of balancing motherhood with the relentless pace of White House life.

While she credits her husband’s experience and support as instrumental to her success, she also admits that like many working mothers, she struggles with guilt over time spent away from her children.

When she leaves the White House each evening, she says titles no longer matter—she is simply a mother trying to make bedtime, savor weekends, and be present whenever possible.

Karoline Leavitt’s story is one of ambition, faith, discipline, and personal sacrifice—a portrait of a young woman navigating history-making responsibilities while building a family in the most demanding political environment in the world.