White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave followers a glimpse into a special evening away from home as she attended UFC Freedom 250 alongside her husband, Nicholas Riccio.
The 28-year-old shared photos from the event on social media, marking a rare public outing while continuing her maternity leave following the birth of her second child.
Leavitt posted several images from the celebration and thanked both President Donald Trump and UFC president Dana White for the experience.
“Mom + Dad night out for @ufc Freedom 250 ❤️,” she wrote on Instagram.
She added, “Thank you President Trump and @danawhite for an absolutely epic time! 🇺🇸”
Fans react to Leavitt’s event appearance
The White House press secretary appeared alongside Riccio wearing a coordinated red outfit that quickly drew attention online.
Leavitt paired a red dress with a matching jacket featuring gold buttons and completed the look with coordinating jewelry.
The photos prompted a wave of positive reactions from supporters, with many complimenting her appearance and style.
Among the comments shared online, one supporter described Leavitt as a “stunning powerful lady,” while another suggested she could add “fashion icon” to her list of accomplishments.
The appearance marked one of Leavitt’s most visible public outings since welcoming daughter Viviana last month.
Balancing family life and public duties
Leavitt remains on maternity leave as she spends time with her growing family.
The press secretary and her husband recently welcomed their second child, and she has largely stepped away from her daily White House duties while focusing on family life.
According to the report, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance have temporarily helped cover responsibilities during her absence.
Despite being away from the briefing room, Leavitt joined her husband for the UFC event, which was held as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The event also coincided with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
A legal challenge had threatened to stop the event shortly before it was scheduled to take place, but a federal judge denied an emergency request that would have prevented it from moving forward.
The evening concluded with a championship fight in the UFC Lightweight division, where Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by TKO in the main event.
For Leavitt, however, the night offered something much simpler — a chance to enjoy an evening with her husband while taking a brief break from maternity leave and the responsibilities that come with raising a newborn.
