Karoline Leavitt, 29, praises ‘angel’ husband, 60 and reveals the family decision behind her White House departure

Karoline Leavitt has explained why she stepped away from her historic position as White House press secretary, describing a deeply personal decision shaped by the arrival of her second child.

Leavitt completed her final day in the Trump administration on Thursday, August 27. At 29, she had served as the youngest person ever appointed White House press secretary.

Speaking to Markie Martin on NewsNation’s Morning in America, Leavitt said the birth of her daughter made her reconsider how she wanted to spend these early years with her children.

Motherhood changed her priorities

Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, welcomed their daughter, Viviana “Vivi,” in early May. The couple also shares a two-year-old son, Niko.

“I think the birth of my second daughter, as I said in my statement, really just showed me that two children at home deserve and need their mothers 24/7 constant attention and presence,” Leavitt told… Continue reading…

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She emphasized that her children are still very young and that their current stage of life cannot be recovered later.

“Of course, we never get these years back with our young kids,” she said.

Leavitt acknowledged that leaving a position she loved was not an easy choice. She said she prayed about the decision and discussed it repeatedly with her husband.

“I love this job so much,” she said. “And sometimes in life you just can’t have it all at the same time. And I realize I’m at that moment in my life right now.”

Her departure came only months after Vivi’s birth and followed Leavitt’s realization that her family required more of her time and presence.

Leavitt marked her final day by bringing Riccio and their two children to the White House. The family posed together in front of the press briefing room podium, with Leavitt holding Vivi as Riccio carried Niko.

Leavitt credits her husband’s sacrifices

During the interview, Leavitt offered an emotional tribute to Riccio, 60, for the changes he made to support her White House career.

“He has just been an angel and a blessing to me and my kids,” she said, explaining that he had given up a great deal to relocate to Washington, D.C., despite being unfamiliar with the city.

Leavitt said Riccio also stepped away from aspects of his own career so that he could support her and their family.

“Thank you, honey, I love you,” she added.

Leavitt credited her husband with providing the stability and support that allowed her to serve in one of the country’s most demanding communications roles while raising two young children.

The couple’s 32-year age difference attracted considerable public attention during Leavitt’s White House tenure. She previously described their relationship as an “atypical love story” during a March 2025 appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show.

Leavitt said they met during her congressional campaign at an event organized by a mutual friend. Riccio owned the New Hampshire restaurant where the gathering took place.

“We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love,” she recalled.

Although Leavitt admitted that she initially considered how the age gap might affect their relationship, she described Riccio as her greatest supporter, best friend and “rock.”

Her work with Trump will continue

Leavitt called working for President Donald Trump the “honor and blessing of a lifetime.” She also praised Trump for supporting her and her young family throughout her time in the administration.

While she has left the press secretary position, Leavitt said she plans to remain an adviser to the president.

The Daily Mail also reported that The View is interested in hosting Leavitt following her White House exit, potentially as a test for a permanent position. One source said Trump and other administration officials supported the possibility, while another stressed that formal discussions had not begun.

For now, Leavitt has made clear that her immediate priority is the family life she believes demands her full attention—particularly during the years with her children that she knows cannot be repeated.