Karoline Leavitt’s recent baby shower photos sparked a flurry of online speculation after her much older husband, Nicholas Riccio, was noticeably absent from the event.
The 28-year-old White House press secretary celebrated the upcoming arrival of her second child on March 23, surrounded by close friends, including Katie Miller and Pam Bondi. Photos from the event, shared by Katie Miller on social media, showed a radiant Karoline glowing alongside her guests, clearly enjoying the special day. But one detail didn’t escape the keen eyes of social media users: where was her husband, Nicholas?
Riccio, 60, has been the subject of online attention due to the couple’s significant age difference. Karoline, who has openly discussed their 32-year age gap, tied the knot with the real estate developer in January 2025 in a lavish ceremony just before Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Despite their public appearances together, Nicholas was conspicuously missing from Karoline’s baby shower, prompting many to question his absence.
“Where’s Grandpa? I mean her husband,” one user remarked, while others chimed in with similar comments, including “Wow! Wonder where the ‘old man’ literally was” and “That kid will pop out looking like Trump.” Some even took to calling him “her granddaddy husband,” with one comment sarcastically asking if “her old homeless baby daddy” had been kicked out.
The absence of her husband at such a significant event didn’t go unnoticed by fans and followers who are familiar with the couple’s dynamic, which has often attracted attention due to their unconventional age gap. However, Karoline has been known for embracing the challenges that come with her relationship, as she openly discussed in an interview on Pod Force One in November 2025, admitting that conversations about their age difference were difficult at first, but ultimately something they have learned to navigate.
While speculation about Nicholas’s whereabouts continues, Karoline has kept her followers engaged with more personal reflections. On Instagram, she shared a cryptic message that reads: “Things you’ll never regret: Praying, putting your phone down, listening over talking, calling your mom, reading the bible, investing in memories, being thankful, forgiving others, forgiving yourself, giving a compliment, drinking more water, saying ‘I love you,’ and trusting God.” The post seemed to resonate with her audience, who responded with their own messages of support and encouragement.
Despite the chatter surrounding her husband’s absence, Karoline’s focus remains on the joy of expecting her second child and the upcoming milestone. The couple, already parents to a young child, have expressed their excitement for the new addition to their family, and fans continue to shower the couple with well wishes.
Karoline’s openness about her life, including the challenges of being the youngest White House press secretary in history and her personal journey, has made her a relatable figure to many. As the couple moves forward, fans are eager to see how they continue to balance their public and personal lives while embracing the arrival of their new baby.
As the speculation around Nicholas Riccio’s absence continues, one thing remains clear: Karoline’s baby shower may have been filled with joy, but it also brought with it the inevitable scrutiny and attention that comes with being in the public eye.
