When Donald Trump was asked on Newsmax what he thought of his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, the majority of people took the typical positive response. Rather, they experienced what felt less like a political moment and more like an awkward dating show audition.
She has achieved stardom. That face is it. That’s the brain. Donald Trump said, “It’s those lips, the way they move, like she’s a machine gun.” He went on to say that she was a wonderful lady and inquired as to whether she lived nearby.
Following its broadcast on August 1, the comment swiftly gained widespread popularity on social media. Despite Trump’s well-known propensity of over-the-top praise, many people felt uneasy about the amount of attention placed on Karoline Leavitt’s lips. Anyone else find Trump’s comment strange and unsettling? said one X (formerly Twitter) user. I wrote another, ew. Worst of all, she most likely enjoys this as well.
Some even ridiculed the age gap between Leavitt and her 64-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio, implying that Trump was within dating distance himself. The discussion intensified speculation on Trump’s marital status.
Melania Trump’s relative lack of public appearance has always been a topic of discussion, and her infatuation with female employees only serves to heighten curiosity. According to author Michael Wolff’s latest assertion on The Daily Beast Podcast, Trump has a history of surrounding himself with Melania lookalikes in his inner circle, which he views as a form of sexual surrogacy.
Some individuals on the internet could see the leap. According to one observer, Melania and Karoline Leavitt truly resemble each other from a very specific angle. Rumors haven’t been greatly reduced by Leavitt’s own Instagram pictures, such as one from July in which she hugged up for a joyful photo with Trump. Critics ridiculed her as a Botox Barbie with her subsequent spouse.
Trump’s employees have previously crossed the boundaries between their personal and professional lives. Natalie Harpis, who was referred to as Trump’s human printer during his first administration, is rumored to have left him heartfelt messages hidden among mountains of paperwork. Trump dismissed it at the time, saying, “She just loves her president.” Karoline Leavitt’s critics now wonder if she is carrying on Harp’s legacy.
In 2023, 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt married a 60-year-old real estate mogul, and the two soon had a kid. His wealth was undoubtedly unrelated to it.
At least we now know how she was hired.
Leavitt’s father, Nicholas Ricco, was 32 when she was born and 51 when she received her high school diploma.
v5McmsQfnH atpic.twitter.com
January 29, 2025, Ryan Shead (@RyanShead)
Her work habits demonstrate more than just a dedication to her profession. After President Donald Trump escaped an assassination attempt in July 2024, Karoline Leavitt ended her maternity leave a few days after giving birth in order to return to the campaign road. She was criticized for abandoning her child, but she justified the decision as a historic obligation.
Additionally, her West Wing office has framed photos of her with Donald Trump, but noticeably none of her husband. Social media trolls swiftly identified the missing component: No images of her husband contributing significantly to the campaign?
Even on her travels, she stays firmly in Donald Trump’s sphere. Karoline Leavitt has even centered her family’s time around the president, from trips to Mar-a-Lago to July 4th celebrations at the White House.
Karoline Leavitt is essentially Trump’s miniature version, and it’s amazing.
She takes no BS, exposes the foolishness, and rips reporters to bits.
It makes sense why the media can’t deal with her.oPmgW08UCZ pic.twitter.com/o
March 19, 2025: Desiree (@DesireeAmerica4)
It appears that the Trump-Leavitt connection is confined to whispers and memes.
However, this begs the more important question: has the president gone too far in openly worrying over his young press secretary’s appearance? More significantly, what part, if any, does Melania play in all of this?
If Wolff’s notion of Melania clones is accurate, Karoline Leavitt may be more than just another devoted worker; she may be a mirror reflecting Trump’s obsession with his wife’s absence. However, the spooky lips comment was viewed by critics as more than a simple mistake.
