Karoline Leavitt accused of using her 9-month-old son for propaganda photo op: 'Cringe to the core'

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was accused by people online of using her 9-month-old son, Nicholas Robert Riccio, as a prop for a propaganda photo op.

Days before celebrating her first Mother's Day, the youngest White House press secretary in US history was pictured feeding her son while typing away at her desk, according to the Irish Star.

Karoline Leavitt snapped juggling press secretary role with motherhood 

The photo was shared by Margo Martin, special assistant to the president and communications advisor, to her X account as she dubbed Leavitt a "Super Mom!"

The caption of her post read, "Walked in to @PressSec typing with one hand, and feeding her son with the other." 

Leavitt recently opened up about the impact that motherhood has had on her and admitted that her work for Donald Trump is not her top priority, as she talked about another role she loves more.

"I'm very blessed to have this job, and I love my job as press secretary, but my favorite job of all, and my top priority is my job of being a mother, and I have learned quickly how to prioritize my time," she told Daily Mail.

Leavitt said that she leans on her "village" of people to help juggle raising Niko with her White House job, including her mother, Erin, father, Bob, and husband Nicholas, the 59-year-old real estate developer, per the outlet.

She said, "It's challenging," and told other women, "You can do it. Lean on your support system and prioritize your number one job, which is to be the best mom you can be." 

Internet slams Karoline Leavitt for her photo-op with son

Several internet users slammed Karoline Leavitt as a viral photo showed her juggling press secretary duties along with motherhood, and accused her of using her son as a prop for a photo op. 

A user wrote on X, "This is “pro mom”? Yeah we’re cooked," while one added, "A bunch of federal workers had to go back to the office full time because they were accused of stuff like this. It’s cool if they do it though. No worries. Elites kinda just get to do what they want."

A person also stated, "Guess you didn’t know EVERY mom is super mom. Karoline is not anything special. I had 3 young children and worked. I knew how to multi-task too," whereas one mentioned, "Another photo op! I’m pretty sure since she married a man old enough to be her grandfather they can afford childcare! This is why women in any position of power is just cringe! Everything is a show for them!"

A user also wrote, "Cringe to the core," while one commented, "Staged photo."

A person added, "I am a woman and with a child that age I think she should stay home and prioritize her children. Does she need money that bad ?" whereas one stated, "We are merely props for the machine."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online