Being a mom never takes a backseat, not even for the White House Press Secretary. Karoline Leavitt, praised for her parenting skills, showcased her multitasking prowess during the White House’s traditional Thanksgiving turkey pardon on Tuesday. The 28-year-old was present at the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, where President Donald Trump continued the time-honored tradition of pardoning two turkeys, aptly named Gobble and Waddle.

Leavitt brought her one-year-old son, Niko, to the event, and he quickly became the center of attention before the ceremony began. In footage shared by Fox News, Leavitt, dressed in a stylish black-and-white outfit with ribbon-tied cuffs and a collar, was seen managing her energetic toddler while listening to a representative from the US Turkey Industry. As Niko wiggled in her arms, she eventually set him down, allowing him to take a few tentative steps before he settled near one of the turkeys. Ever attentive, Leavitt gently retrieved her son as he began to crawl away, all while staying engaged with the proceedings around her.

Amidst the lighthearted chaos, Leavitt quipped, “Thank you, Waddle, that was quite a performance, a very well-behaved bird,” while holding her lively son, who sported a charming shirt reading “Mama’s little turkey.” The endearing moment resonated with viewers, who admired Leavitt’s ability to balance her professional duties with motherhood. One onlooker noted, “She’s trying to be professional and answer questions while trying to hover and mom. Relatable lmao.” Another chimed in, “Karoline Leavitt’s son totally stole the spotlight — his little moment with Waddle was priceless. Forget the presidential pardon… this kid just won Thanksgiving.” The sentiment was echoed by others, with one viewer stating, “Who knew a turkey and a toddler could steal a national spotlight together?” and another adding, “That little guy with the turkey is the real star of the day.”

A fifth viewer wrote: ‘So adorable! Heartwarming moments on Thanksgiving.’ ‘That kid is braver than I am. I do not trust turkeys at all,’ declared another user. Gobble was named the National Thanksgiving Turkey to receive the pardon at the ceremony with the president, but Waddle also received a pardon, as is tradition. Leavitt doesn’t often share details about her family life but sometimes offers a rare glimpse into her relationship with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, who is 32 years her senior. Leavitt has previously addressed her ‘very atypical love story,’ speaking with Megyn Kelly about their romance and how they first met in March.

‘I met my husband during my Congressional Campaign. A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband,’ the Press Secretary said in the interview. ‘I was speaking. We met, and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love.’ The Megyn Kelly Show host then asked if she had doubted their relationship would work because of the large age gap, with Leavitt confirming she did have some doubts initially. ‘Yes, of course. I mean it’s a very atypical love story, but he’s incredible,’ she gushed. ‘He is my greatest supporter, he’s my best friend and he’s my rock.’

She continued: ‘He’s built a very successful business himself so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career. He’s the father of my child and he’s the best dad I could ever ask for. And he is so supportive, especially during a very chaotic period of life.’ The pair got engaged in December 2023, with Leavitt writing at the time: ‘The best Christmas of my life. I get to marry the man of my dreams. I feel SO overwhelmingly BLESSED. Thank you, God.’ The pair officially tied the knot in January 2025, days before President Donald Trump’s inauguration. They went on to welcome their son on July 10, 2024.