Jimmy Kimmel took a direct shot at Karoline Leavitt’s personal life, throwing some serious shade at her much older husband during a recent episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The late-night host couldn’t resist making a pointed joke about her appointment as White House press secretary, soon after she began working for Donald Trump.
During the January 28, 2025 broadcast, Kimmel acknowledged Leavitt’s achievement of becoming the youngest person ever to hold the prestigious role of press secretary. But he quickly turned the moment into a mockery.
“She’s married to a much older real estate tycoon, so you’re hired in that case,” Kimmel quipped, poking fun at the significant age difference between Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, who is 32 years her senior.
While the jab was biting, it didn’t overshadow Leavitt’s impressive resume. Despite the humorous remark, Leavitt’s career accomplishments stand on their own merit. She’s been recognized for her talents by those who’ve worked with her, including the executive director of her alma mater’s New Hampshire Institute of Politics, who lauded her as one of the brightest students they’d encountered.
Before landing her role as press secretary, Leavitt worked as an assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany during Trump’s first term and made an attempt at Congress in 2022 when she was just 25. No matter her personal life, her professional qualifications are hard to dispute, and reducing her achievements to her marriage comes off as a classic case of sexism.
Leavitt’s relationship with Riccio, whom she met after already being involved in politics, has sparked comparisons to the age gap between Donald Trump and his wife. However, it’s important to remember that Leavitt’s political career was well-established before she ever met Riccio. At just 23, she was already campaigning for Congress while working with McEnany, and the couple met at a campaign event hosted at Riccio’s New Hampshire restaurant. In a 2025 interview on “The Megyn Kelly Show,” Leavitt shared how their friendship blossomed into a relationship.
When asked about their 32-year age gap, Leavitt jokingly remarked, “Yes, of course!” but also gave Riccio credit for his support. She humorously added, “I walked into your life, and it’s been a circus ever since.” That circus reference felt even more fitting after Kimmel’s biting comment, as he teased her role as “the ringleader at the White House.”
