Karoline Leavitt, 28, sparked a firestorm onNov. 4, 2025 when social media users caught what appeared to be heavily photoshopped images in her Halloween post. The White House Press Secretary shared family photos from Halloween celebrations at the White House alongside her husband Nicholas Riccio, 60, and their 16-month-old son Niko. The backlash was immediate and intense.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Leavitt shared Halloween photos on Sunday showing a discrepancy in editing.
- Her husband’s face appeared significantly smoother and younger than other press photos.
- The 32-year age gap between the couple attracted immediate focus.
- Social media users noted his hands looked 60+ years old while his face didn’t match.
- The post garnered over 235,000 likes despite the controversy brewing.
The Halloween Post That Sparked Controversy
Leavitt’s Instagram post featured three family snapshots taken on Oct. 30 at the White House South Lawn. The group posed outside the iconic residence decorated with pumpkins for the holiday celebration. The first photo drew immediate scrutiny from eagle-eyed followers. “The airbrushing of your hubs face to make him appear younger was the trick,” one Instagram commenter wrote. Another user questioned the selective editing, noting “The guy on the left seems to have only his face photoshopped. His hands look like 60+ years old. What happened?”
“Karoline, awesome picture but my friends noticed something: The guy on the left seems to have only his face photoshopped. His hands look like 60+ years old.”
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Press photographers’ unfiltered versions of the same events showed markedly different features on Riccio’s face. The images published by news agencies displayed a more natural appearance without the smoothing effects. This stark contrast fueled speculation about digital enhancement. Leavitt did not respond to requests for comment about the editing allegations as of late Nov. 4.
The Age Gap and Public Perception
The couple’s 32-year age gap has been a consistent topic of public discussion since they married in January 2025. Several Instagram commenters joked about Riccio appearing to be Leavitt’s father. “Oh how cute, father, daughter and grandchild” one commenter wrote with a winking emoji. The real estate developer from New Hampshire met Leavitt at a restaurant event in 2022. They welcomed son Niko in July 2024 before marrying six months later.
Leavitt previously defended their unconventional romance during an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show in March 2025. “A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband,” she explained. “I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love.” She emphasized Riccio’s role as her biggest supporter during her demanding role as the nation’s youngest White House Press Secretary.
Image Comparison and Digital Editing Questions
The discrepancy between Leavitt’s Instagram version and press agency photos raised legitimate questions about photo editing practices. Her posted version showed Riccio’s complexion appearing noticeably smoother and more youthful. Meanwhile, his hands remained visibly aged and wrinkled in both versions. This selective smoothing prompted discussions about beauty standards and image manipulation in political circles.
| Source | Photo Appearance | Facial Smoothness |
| Leavitt’s Instagram | Manicured/Filtered | Enhanced |
| Press Agency Photos | Unfiltered | Natural |
Backlash and Missing Response
Leavitt’s team has emphasized transparency as a core value of her role. Yet they remained silent on the editing allegations throughout Nov. 4. Her status as the youngest ever White House Press Secretary makes her activities subject to heightened scrutiny. The 2.6 million followers on her Instagram account weren’t shy about voicing opinions. Comments ranged from humorous to critical about the apparent photo enhancement.
The incident highlights broader cultural conversations around social media authenticity. Political figures face unique pressures balancing personal branding with public credibility. Other public figures have faced similar backlash for perceived photo editing in the past.
What’s Next For Leavitt’s Public Image?
Whether Leavitt addresses the editing allegations remains unclear moving forward. Her husband has stayed largely out of public life despite his prominent position as her spouse. Riccio built a successful real estate business in New Hampshire before entering the spotlight. The couple’s attempt to share family moments through social media revealed the challenges of managing public perception in the digital age.
The controversy serves as a reminder that even seemingly candid family photos get carefully curated. Followers will likely continue dissecting her social media presence with critical eyes going forward.
Sources
- Yahoo Entertainment/Daily Beast – Coverage of Leavitt’s Halloween photo controversy and initial backlash
- Daily Mail – Detailed analysis comparing Instagram photos to press agency versions
- The Megyn Kelly Show – Leavitt’s previous statements about her marriage and relationship timeline
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.