Karoline Leavitt’s mom praises ex-press secretary’s ‘bravery’, recalls first meeting with Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: Karoline Leavitt’s mother, Erin Leavitt, has shared her pride in watching her daughter become one of the most recognizable faces in the Trump administration. She also recalled the first time she met President Donald Trump, revealing that he mistook her for Karoline’s sister during a family visit to the Oval Office.

Speaking to Dr Sheldon Sevinor on his podcast, Erin described the White House as a “majestic, magical place” and praised her daughter’s “bravery” while standing behind the press briefing podium.

Karoline Leavitt’s mother recalls Donald Trump’s surprising question

Erin recalled the moment she met Trump during a family visit to the White House, where Karoline personally showed her relatives around the building.

According to Erin, the president looked at her and asked Karoline, “Oh, is this your sister?” The comment came as the family spent time inside the White House and visited Karoline’s office.

Erin said she was not surprised by the mix-up, as people often mistake her for her daughter’s sister because of their resemblance. “I love that. I get that a lot,” she told Sevinor when the podcast host brought up their youthful appearance.

The conversation also touched on what it was like to meet Trump and experience the White House in person. Erin described the visit as an exciting moment for the family, particularly because of the building’s history and the people who had worked there over the years.

“It was absolutely amazing,” she said.

Erin also spoke about the beauty of the building, describing it as a place that felt almost like a museum. She said the family had the opportunity to explore its historic rooms and meet other prominent members of the administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Erin Leavitt says watching her daughter at the White House feels surreal

While the meeting with Trump gave Erin a memorable story to share, her daughter’s career was an even bigger source of pride.

During the podcast conversation, Sevinor asked Erin whether she could have imagined, when she was 30, that her daughter would one day hold such a high-profile position in Washington.

Her response reflected how difficult it was for her to take in Karoline’s rise.

“It’s unbelievable. It really is,” Erin said. “Some days I just can’t even believe it.”

Erin also praised the courage her daughter showed while facing reporters at the White House podium. Karoline regularly addressed the media on behalf of Trump, defending the administration’s policies during televised briefings.

“I see her bravery of being on the podium,” Erin said.

She added that watching her daughter in the role still felt difficult to believe. “It’s surreal. Really, it’s surreal.”

For Erin, seeing Karoline take on such a public position was an experience that went beyond the excitement of visiting the White House. She described the family’s visits as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and spoke about the energy she felt inside the building.

“So yes, I have been there a few times, and it’s thrilling. It’s exhilarating, just because of the history and the energy,” she said. “You can just feel the magic in the whole place.”

Karoline Leavitt made history as the youngest White House press secretary

Karoline made history in January 2025 when she became the youngest White House press secretary at the age of 27.

The New Hampshire native had previously worked in Trump’s first administration before serving as national press secretary for his 2024 presidential campaign. She later became a familiar face during the president’s second administration, regularly answering questions from reporters and defending his policies.

Karoline and her husband, real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, welcomed their first child, son Nicholas “Niko” Robert, in July 2024. She later gave birth to a daughter in May 2026 while serving in the administration.

In August 2026, Karoline stepped down to spend more time with her growing family, ending more than a year and a half in one of the White House’s most visible communications roles.

Katie Zacharia was subsequently named as her successor. However, Zacharia left the position after just five days earlier this month.