White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently revealed that her combative public image is a performance.. In a video shared by her makeup artist, Leavitt described her true personality as "silly" and "funny," contrasting sharply with her professional demeanor.
The 'glam session confessional' and the silly side of Karoline Leavitt
In a behind-the-scenes Instagram Stories clip titled "glam session confessional," Karoline Leavitt admitted that the intense figure reporters encounter at the podium is not her authentic self. While appearing with her hair in rollers , Leavitt told her makeup artist, Brittany Danielle, that she is actually "silly" and "funny," stating, "when I'm out of the podium I'm getting after it.. But I'm not like that in real life."
As the report says, this revelation suggests a calculated separation between Leavitt's private identity and the fierce defender role she plays for the administration. By framing her professional aggression as an "act," Leavitt creates a narrative of relatability that exists entirely outside the formal constraints of the White House briefing room.
Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the contrast of the July 23 briefing
The timing of this personal disclosure highlights a stark juxtaposition in Leavitt's daily responsibilities. On the same day the "silly" persona was showcased on social media, Karoline Leavitt conducted a formal briefing addressing high-stakes geopolitical issues, including Iran and a potential nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. She also used the podium to criticize Senate Majority Leader John Thune over stalled election legislation.
According to the source, this blending of environments is a hallmark of Leavitt's tenure. For instance, her makeup artist, Brittany Danielle, shared footage of Leavitt interviewing President Donald Trump for a Fox News program immediately following her July 23 briefing, illustrating a seamless transition between official government business, cable news, and social media content.
Trump's 'superstar' and the reality-TV blueprint for the White House
The approach adopted by Karoline Leavitt—the youngest press secretary in U.S. history—mirrors the borader communication style of President Donald Trump. The President has publicly praised Leavitt as a "superstar" and specifically complimented her "machine gun" lips, a description that blends professional efficacy with personal branding.
This strategy reflects a wider trend where the boundaries between political governance and reality-TV-style entertainment are increasingly blurred . by providing curated, behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life, Leavitt is not just acting as a spokesperson but is building a personal brand that relies on perceived authenticity to maintain a connection with the public, a tactic common in the era of social-media-driven politics.
Nicholas Riccio and the 'atypical love story' on Instagram
Beyond the podium, Karoline Leavitt uses social media to humanize her image through details of her private life. She frequently shares content featuring her husband, Nicholas Riccio, who is 32 years older than her, and their two children, Niko and Viviana. The report notes that Viviana was born on May 1, 2026, and the family often appears at official events such as the Halloween celebrations and the Easter Egg Roll.
Leavitt,who previously ran an unsuccessful congressional campaign in her home state of New Hampshire, also documents mundane activities like meal prep. These posts serve as a strategic counterweight to the adversarial tone of her press briefings, presenting an "atypical love story" that makes the administration's youngest official appear more accessible to the average voter.
Who controls the 'glam session' narrative?
While the video presents as a candid moment, it raises questions about the level of coordination between Karoline Leavitt and her staff. It remains unclear whether the "glam session confessional" was a spontaneous post by Brittany Danielle or a coordinated effort to soften Leavitt's image during a week of heavy policy scrutiny. Furthermore, the source does not clarify if other administration officials are following a similar playbook of using third-party service providers, like makeup artists, to leak "authentic" glimpses of their personalities to the public.
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