Karoline Leavitt Discusses Support from Husband Nicholas Riccio

<figure><img alt="White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and her husband Nicholas Riccio pose on the red carpet for the 2026 White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/QCWJG7DA2ZAC3E4ZAH7M6ZQXJU.JPG?auth=102fbb3e294a5928ca6dc07ab519829419e950521491eacc1eb2564ad323bf21&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2948&amp;height=1658" /><figcaption>Elizabeth Frantz / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Karoline Leavitt made comments about her husband Nicholas Riccio during an interview on NewsNation’s <i>Morning in America</i> on her last day as White House press secretary. Leavitt, 29, acknowledged Riccio's support while she has been working at the White House.</p><p>Anchor Markie Martin noted Riccio's support, to which Leavitt responded, “He has been just an angel and a blessing to me and my kids, really has given up a lot to move to D.C., a town he’s unfamiliar with, took a step back from his own career to be here for me and support me.”</p><p>Leavitt expressed her gratitude, stating, “So thank you, honey. I love you.”</p><p>The couple met during Leavitt’s 2022 congressional campaign when she was 25 and running for the congressional seat in New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district. They have two children: Niko, 2, and Viviana, born in May.</p><p>Leavitt announced her decision to leave the White House shortly after returning from maternity leave, although she will continue to advise President Trump. Trump mentioned in a Truth Social post that her departure was to allow her to spend more time with her family, a decision he respects.</p><p>However, sources later indicated to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16048333/karoline-leavitt-quit-press-secretary-white-house-trump.html?ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490&amp;ito=social-twitter_mailonline" rel="">Daily Mail</a> that Trump may have influenced her decision to leave. One source noted that Leavitt had considered quitting during her maternity leave due to frequent inquiries from the president about her return.</p><p>Another source mentioned that Leavitt experienced burnout shortly after returning to work. “It was a very stressful job to do with her children. She never got any sleep, and she didn’t want her performance to slip either,” the source said, adding, “The president did everything he could to keep her.”</p><p>Leavitt stated that her husband played a significant role in her decision-making process. “I just prayed on it and talked to my husband night after night about what to do,” she said. “I love this job so much. I believe so much in the president and everything he’s working to accomplish here. So it was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make.”</p><p>She concluded, “I think I’ve served the president the best I can and he deserves a press secretary who can be here on the clock literally 24/7. That’s what the job requires. 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.”</p>