CNN panelist Sophia Nelson has publicly criticized former White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt following Leavitt’s latest resignation. Nelson, 59, took to social media platform X (previously Twitter) to precise her views on Leavitt’s departure and private life.
Criticism of Leavitt’s Departure and {Qualifications}
Leavitt, 28, introduced her resolution to step down from her function as press secretary for the Trump administration on Wednesday, citing the necessity to dedicate extra time to her household. She had lately returned from maternity go away following the start of her second youngster.
In her social media posts, Nelson described Leavitt as a “sizzling mess” and questioned her skilled background and {qualifications} for the demanding White Home place. Nelson characterised Leavitt’s hiring as a “WEI rent,” suggesting it was primarily based on elements aside from advantage. She additionally made important remarks about Leavitt’s look and private decisions.
Leavitt, in her personal assertion on X, defined her resolution as “bittersweet.” She acknowledged, “Being a mom and welcoming a brand new child whereas working in probably the most demanding jobs on the earth has been probably the most rewarding but difficult season of my life, to say the least.” She additional elaborated that upon returning to the White Home after her daughter’s start, she felt she couldn’t adequately fulfill the duties of the Press Secretary function whereas additionally being the mom her two younger youngsters deserve. This realization led to her departure to “embark on a brand new chapter.”
Concentrate on Private Life and Relationship
Past her skilled critique, Nelson additionally commented on Leavitt’s age-gap relationship along with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, an actual property developer who’s reportedly 60 years outdated. Leavitt, 28, married Riccio in January 2025. Nelson particularly talked about Leavitt having “two infants now by a person 35 years older.” Nelson’s remarks included descriptions of Leavitt as “Blonde. Cute. Bimbo. Snarky. With an enormous cross round her neck,” and related these traits with “Trump-Mar-A-Lago-Epstein vibes.”
Leavitt’s exit from the White Home occurred lower than a month after her return from maternity go away, which started in Could with the start of her daughter, Vivi. That is her second youngster with Riccio.
Assist from Former President Trump
Following Leavitt’s announcement, former President Donald Trump publicly supported her resolution. He posted on Fact Social, stating that he may “completely perceive and respect” her selection. Trump lauded Leavitt as “among the best White Home press secretaries within the historical past of the workplace” and indicated that she would proceed to function a “prime outdoors adviser” and “influential voice.”
Karoline Leavitt’s Tenure and Background
Karoline Leavitt served as a detailed confidante to Donald Trump throughout his administration. Her duties included attending categorised briefings within the State of affairs Room and providing counsel on vital crises, such because the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which was famous as an uncommon function for a press secretary.
Leavitt first joined Trump’s political sphere in 2018, initially working as a presidential author earlier than turning into an assistant White Home press secretary. Previous to her White Home function, she served as communications director for Consultant Elise Stefanik, a outstanding Trump ally, from 2021 to 2022. In 2024, she joined Trump’s re-election marketing campaign as a nationwide press secretary and was subsequently named White Home Press Secretary upon his return to the presidency.
Leavitt was acknowledged for her assertive type on the White Home briefing podium, usually mirroring Trump’s strategy by difficult journalists and responding sharply to important questioning.
Her resignation follows that of certainly one of her prime deputies, Abigail Jackson, who additionally left the White Home for the non-public sector lately. The particular plans for Leavitt’s subsequent steps, whether or not in a brand new function or the non-public sector, stay undisclosed, although she is anticipated to proceed advising the previous president from outdoors the White Home.
Conclusion
The change highlights differing views on public service, private decisions, {and professional} {qualifications}. Whereas Leavitt cited household duties for her departure from a high-profile function, public commentary from figures like Sophia Nelson has drawn consideration to her background and private life, juxtaposed towards help from former President Trump.
