Karoline Leavitt Brought to Tears After Savage Impression Mocks Her Defense of Trump’s Lies

Washington, D.C. – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, took to Instagram Stories on November 16, with a deeply personal and biblical post that left her “crying,” hours after Saturday Night Live delivered a biting impersonation of her during its November 15 episode.

The quote, from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10—appearing to be Paul speaking—read: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” Leavitt underlined the next part: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The post capped a series of fall-themed family photos shared earlier that week, including her husband Nicholas Riccio, 60, and 1-year-old son Niko at the White House Halloween event, where the toddler wore a pumpkin costume, and trick-or-treat images of the family in orange-and-black outfits. However, the reactions online shocked her.

Leavitt’s emotional response coincided with SNL’s November 15,, cold open, where actress Ashley Padilla impersonated her during a mock press briefing on the Epstein files released November 12.

Padilla, as Leavitt, quipped: “‘I am just so excited to be here and answer your friendly questions. As you all know, there was no news this week. Nothing happening with the president. No weird information was revealed. No one had any accusations that rhyme with ‘edophile’. So I’ll open the floor to questions starting with Kaitlan Collins from CNN, who I openly hate, go ahead.”

The sketch, part of SNL’s ongoing Trump-era satire, drew praise online. One X user replied to a clip: “I’m watching it now… nailed it. Brilliant.” It’s unclear if the episode directly prompted Leavitt’s post, but the timing—hours later—has fueled speculation.

Expert Insights on Leavitt’s High-Stress Role

Christine Schneider, a clinical psychologist at Cambridge Therapy Centre, said in an October interview that Leavitt’s job is “incredibly demanding mentally.”

“Working as a press secretary means living under constant pressure,” Schneider said. “Every word, every facial expression, and every pause is dissected by the media and the public. That level of exposure can be incredibly demanding mentally.”

Schneider added that Leavitt could be experiencing “emotional control” that “can come at a cost.” “Someone in Karoline Leavitt’s position likely faces chronic stress, anxiety around public performance, and exhaustion from the nonstop pace of her role,” she said. “There’s often a need to stay composed no matter what’s happening behind the scenes, and that emotional control, while impressive, can come at a cost.”

White House press briefing with Karoline Leavitt and Trump pic.twitter.com/tgVarzhDrl

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 16, 2025

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Leavitt, who married Riccio in January 2025 days before Trump’s inauguration, welcomed Niko on July 10, 2024. They met in 2022 during her New Hampshire congressional run; a mutual friend hosted an event at Riccio’s restaurant.

“We met and were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love,” she told The Megyn Kelly Show in February. Engaged over Christmas 2023, Leavitt addressed their 32-year age gap: “It’s a very atypical love story, but he’s incredible. He’s the father of my child, and he’s the best dad I could ever ask for.”

Riccio is “my greatest supporter, my best friend and my rock,” she said. “He’s built a very successful business himself so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career.” Leavitt noted his introversion: “He’s an introvert (complete opposite of me). I respect his privacy on here—but he’s my number one fan, the best dad, and just the best man I’ve ever met.”