Karoline Leavitt admits feeling 'mom guilt' for juggling career while trying to be present for her son

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping away from the podium at least for a moment to share an intimate look at her personal life.

In a rare interview, she opened up about motherhood, faith, and the struggle of balancing a high-profile job with raising her young son, reported by Mirror US.

Karoline Leavitt opens up about mom guilt

Despite her sharp political persona, Leavitt, 27, revealed that at home, she’s just another mom trying to make it back in time for bedtime stories.

“I spend every second that I possibly can with my son when I'm home on weekends and evenings,” she said in a heartfelt interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network adding, “I try to make it home for bedtime as much as I can throughout the week.”

Leavitt, who welcomed her son Niko in July 2024 with her husband, real estate mogul Nicolas Riccio, knows the weight of working-mom guilt.

“Every mother understands the demands,” she admitted. “No matter where you are, what you're doing, there’s always a sense of guilt.”

The press secretary opened up about her past, sharing nostalgic snapshots from her younger years and the deep influence her parents had on shaping her values.

Reflecting on their impact, she noted, “I think that value of hard work and determination and drive was instilled in me in a very young age, just by watching my parents work so hard to earn a living.”

Leavitt credits much of her success to her faith and early experiences as a college athlete.

Earning a softball scholarship at Saint Anselm College, she believes the lessons from the game prepared her for the pressures of politics.

“The game of softball in sports prepared me for the game of politics, no doubt about it. Discipline, hard work, teamwork and also competing against yourself to be the best that you can in athletics, I think, has prepared me especially for this job now.”

Raised in the Catholic faith, Karoline attributes her journey to the White House to her unwavering belief in God’s guidance. Despite facing a setback with her unsuccessful congressional bid in 2022, she remained steadfast.

Her role as National Press Secretary for the Trump Campaign ultimately became the stepping stone that led her to the White House.

“God knew what he was doing,” she said. “You just have to trust the process and trust that he's working in your life, and stay grounded in your faith throughout the way.”

Karoline Leavitt explains why Donald Trump chose her for WH press secretary

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history finally addressed the widespread debate over her appointment. At just 27 years old, her selection shocked many Americans, with critics questioning whether she had enough experience for the high-profile role.

In a recent interview, Leavitt shared insight into why she was chosen and how President Donald Trump personally dismissed concerns about her age, per Irish Star.

According to Leavitt, Trump never saw her age as a limitation. Instead, he drew from his own experiences as a young businessman to support his decision.

“He has spoken publicly about it, how many people told him that I was too young to have this position,” Leavitt explained. “And he told me, ‘You’re not. When I was 21, I was building buildings in Manhattan, and I believe you can have this job.’”

Leavitt also emphasized that Trump’s decision was part of a broader push to empower young professionals. She noted that he values the next generation’s role in shaping the country’s future.

“The president believes in the young people of this country, (and) the future generations, the next generation of leaders,” she said. “He wants to leave the country better off for us and for our children and grandchildren.”