During a January 2025 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was the subject of sharp and scathing jokes by Jimmy Kimmel, who targeted her widely noted 32-year age gap with her husband, Nicholas Riccio.
Kimmel’s joke linked Leavitt’s marriage to a "much older real estate magnate" with her role in the Trump White House, playing on Donald Trump's own well-known 24-year age gap with Melania Trump. The comment stirred public attention and sparked both amusement and controversy.
Kimmel didn't stop there. He also joked that Leavitt had "promised a new and more circus-like atmosphere" in the White House press briefing room—referencing her efforts to open media access to social media influencers, which had drawn both criticism and praise. This rapid-fire roasting highlighted the struggles Leavitt faces balancing her political role with the intense media spotlight.
Despite rumors circulating online, no verified footage or reports confirm that Leavitt dramatically walked off Kimmel’s show or “melted down” during the segment. Fact-checkers, including Snopes, confirmed that Leavitt has never made a public walkout or meltdown during a Jimmy Kimmel interview, and no such interviews have officially occurred.
In interviews following the event, Leavitt acknowledged her unconventional marriage but defended it as a stable and supportive partnership amid the turbulence of political life. Yet the incident underscores the combative relationship between Trump aides and late-night political satire, where personal lives and public roles often become targets of comedy.
In short, while Karoline Leavitt faced biting jokes from Jimmy Kimmel about her personal life and role in the Trump administration, the dramatic claims of a live meltdown are unfounded. The exchange remains a vivid example of the challenges Trump’s closest aides face navigating the intersection of political pressure and late-night comedy.During a January 2025 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was subjected to sharp and cutting jokes by Jimmy Kimmel, who mocked her widely noted 32-year age gap with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. Kimmel’s pointed quip linked Leavitt’s marriage to an older real estate magnate with her role in the Trump White House, paralleling the age difference of Donald Trump and Melania Trump. This joke sparked significant media buzz and public commentary.