Karoline Leavitt Steps Down as White House Press Secretary

Karoline Leavitt is stepping down as White House press secretary at the end of the month. She ends her tenure as the youngest person to hold this position. Her departure changes the communications dynamics in the high-pressure Trump White House. Messaging discipline and loyalty have been cornerstones there. Her decision brings her family into focus, particularly her husband, Nicholas Riccio. Leavitt cites the challenges of raising two young children as a key reason for her exit. This prompts questions about her future and the administration’s next steps.

Leavitt announced in her statement on X that she “cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary.” President Trump praised her, calling her “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.” He mentioned she will transition to an outside advisory role.

Who Is Karoline Leavitt’s Husband, Nicholas Riccio?

Nicholas Riccio is a real estate developer from New Hampshire. He has built a substantial property portfolio while avoiding the political spotlight. Raised in Hudson, New Hampshire, Riccio faced financial instability and homelessness as a teenager. He financed his education at Plymouth State University by working in a grocery store and borrowing money.

Riccio’s real estate journey began in the early 2000s. He noticed neglected buildings along Hampton Beach and took a real estate course. Buying and revitalizing distressed properties became his focus. Over time, he improved rundown neighborhoods, especially on M Street, where he renovated multiple old structures.

Despite Leavitt’s political role, Riccio has maintained a low profile. Known as introverted, he focuses on family life. Leavitt describes him as a “hands-on father” and a stabilizing force amid Washington’s chaos.

Leavitt and Riccio have a significant age gap—she is 28, and he is 60. Their relationship began in 2022 when she was 25 and campaigning for Congress. Leavitt openly shares that their age difference initially gave her pause but calls their romance “atypical.” After meeting Riccio, her parents accepted the relationship due to his character. Leavitt describes their family as “typical,” emphasizing mutual respect between Riccio and her family.

Nicholas Riccio’s Net Worth

Riccio’s real estate assets have resulted in an estimated net worth of about $6 million. His company, Riccio Enterprises, owns over a dozen properties across New Hampshire, Boston, and the White Mountains. Property records show at least 10 homes listed under his LLC, with values ranging from $5,500 to $400,000.

Riccio’s financial success has contributed to their family dynamic. Leavitt has mentioned that his business enabled him to support her political aspirations, including her 2022 congressional campaign. His flexible schedule allowed him to handle childcare responsibilities, giving Leavitt more space to pursue her demanding roles in politics.

When Did Leavitt Have Her Children?

Leavitt and Riccio became parents to their first child, Niko, on July 10, 2024. Niko’s birth came shortly before a significant event, the July 13 assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Leavitt returned to work after cutting short her maternity leave.

Their second child, Viviana (“Vivi”), was born on May 1, 2026. Leavitt began her maternity leave before Vivi’s birth but returned briefly after the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Dinner evacuation. She describes Vivi’s arrival as creating a “blissful newborn bubble.” Motherhood and managing young children weighed heavily on her decision to resign.

Why Leavitt Is Leaving Her White House Role

Leavitt’s decision to step down came from an emotional realization after her maternity leave. She found it impossible to meet job demands while being the mother she aspires to be. The role required constant availability and crisis management, which she labeled “the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life.”

In a statement, she wrote that she “cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve” while fulfilling these duties. She noted the decision was “bittersweet” but necessary. She will remain active politically as an adviser to Trump and a prominent MAGA voice.

What Trump Said About Her Exit

Trump announced Leavitt’s departure on Truth Social. He called her decision “a choice I totally understand and respect.” He praised her as an exceptional White House Press Secretary and a trusted aide. Trump mentioned she will remain “an influential voice within the Republican Party” as the GOP aims to hold Congress in the upcoming elections. He credited her with fighting for key values during his campaign and term.

Who Could Replace Her?

Potential successors are already under discussion within Trump’s circles:

• Harrison Fields, the principal deputy press secretary, represents the most conventional option. Promoting a deputy keeps briefing operations stable.
• Steven Cheung, the communications director, is an adviser known for a combative style. His appointment might lead to a more aggressive communications approach.
• Taylor Rogers, a senior communications official and former campaign staffer, is also a contender. Rogers brings experience navigating Trump’s media landscape.
• Other possibilities include Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston and Margo Martin, a close communications aide to Trump.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Gray R. Thomas