Trump said Leavitt may be the reason for the “negative publicity” he is receiving in the media. Recalling the 2024 US presidential election, he said he “received 93% negative publicity.”
“Some people say 97%, but 93 to 97%. The person who gets 97% negative – maybe Caroline isn't doing a good job, I don't know,” he said.
After this remark, Trump addressed Leavitt directly.
“You are terrible at your job,” the US President said, looking into her eyes.
The People tabloid writes that the remark was made as a joke.
“Should we leave her? I think we’ll leave her,” he said in the presence of the pregnant Leavitt. – But 93-97% of the information is fake news, a complete lie. I won a landslide victory. When 93-97% of negative articles and press reports indicate your landslide victory, do you know what that says? People don't trust the press.”
Context
Leavitt – Trump's fifth press secretary. During his first presidential term, he had four press secretaries in four years.
Leavitt, who became the youngest White House speaker, is married to 60-year-old Nicholas Riccio. The Economic Times Editorial Board notes that Leavitt’s chosen one was the multimillionaire founder of Nautical Beach Properties, who at the age of 18 found himself homeless. Without money for rent, Riccio even slept in his car.
He proposed to Leavitt in December 2023. In July 2024, their son was born. As noted by The Economic TimesLeavitt married in 2024 before the birth of her first child. The publication emphasizes that “people were shocked by the 32-year age difference between the spouses.”
In December 2025, Leavitt announced that she would soon become a mother for the second time.
