Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary under President Donald Trump, is once again at the center of public scrutiny—this time not for her political messaging but for her personal life. Her marriage to real estate investor Nicholas Riccio, who is 32 years older than she is, has sparked renewed debate after Leavitt’s latest comments on the “Pod Force One” podcast. Although Leavitt has always insisted that her relationship is genuine and rooted in emotional compatibility, critics online have seized on the significant age difference and the couple’s wealth, reviving accusations that her marriage is financially motivated. These claims remain purely speculative, voiced by social-media users—not by Leavitt, Riccio, or any verified source.

The age gap between Leavitt and Riccio has been public knowledge for years. At 27, Leavitt married Riccio, now in his late 50s, and they have spoken only briefly about the origins of their romance. In February 2025, during an appearance on “The Megyn Kelly Show,” Leavitt acknowledged that it was “a very atypical love story,” but she declined to provide further detail. Her reluctance to disclose specifics has helped fuel outside speculation, even though she has never suggested anything unusual or inappropriate about their relationship.

By the time she appeared on “Pod Force One” in November, the topic resurfaced when host Miranda Devine asked more directly about the couple’s beginnings. Leavitt reiterated that the two had known each other as friends for some time before falling in love, describing Riccio as introverted and deeply supportive. Her description remained vague, but this was consistent with her past interviews. She did not frame their meeting as dramatic or mysterious—only private. Still, the lack of detail has encouraged some online observers to fill in the blanks themselves.

After lightly describing Riccio’s personality and their transition from friends to partners, Leavitt shifted to praising his accomplishments in real estate. She cited his success, his business experience, and his financial stability as factors that make their family life easier. Although she likely intended this as praise for her husband’s established career and his ability to support her demanding role in the White House, some listeners took her comments differently. As soon as clips circulated online, critics began accusing her of emphasizing Riccio’s wealth too conveniently.

On X (formerly Twitter), users began posting sarcastic remarks accusing Leavitt of marrying Riccio for financial reasons. These allegations were entirely speculative and came only from social-media commenters—not from any evidence or firsthand account. One user wrote, “She fell in love alright. With his bank account.” Another joked, “He has a picture of Karoline in his wallet. Karoline has a picture of his wallet in hers.” Dozens of similar comments followed, forming a wave of gold-digger accusations that spread rapidly through political commentary accounts and gossip pages.

These comments were not grounded in any factual reporting, but they reflected how suspicious some viewers became after Leavitt’s interview. The speculation intensified as people noted the public glimpses of the couple’s lifestyle. On Instagram, Leavitt often shares travel photos, snapshots of expensive furnishings, and images of high-end accessories—displays that are common among influencers and political families alike, but which critics used to reinforce their theories.

One particular photo, showing Leavitt carrying a Louis Vuitton shoulder bag reportedly worth more than $4,800, drew a wave of sarcastic reactions. Commenters framed the accessory as evidence of Riccio’s financial advantage, again ignoring the fact that many people in high-level political or media roles own designer items. Nevertheless, the image became another talking point for those who already believed that Leavitt’s marriage was shaped by financial considerations.

In her own remarks, Leavitt has repeatedly emphasized that Riccio’s career—and the stability it provides—has allowed her to pursue her own demanding professional life. She often speaks openly about the challenges of balancing parenting responsibilities with the high-pressure environment of the White House. On “Pod Force One,” she explained that Riccio’s flexible schedule allows him to take on most of the childcare duties while she works long hours. “He’s built his career, and so he’s in a place where he can support me in mine,” she said. “So he’s an incredibly hands-on father.”