White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is accused of airbrushing her husband on Instagram following criticism over their age gap.

A Halloween family photo shared by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has sparked discussion over potential image editing and revived debate about the 32-year age gap between her and her husband, 60-year-old real-estate developer Nicholas Riccio. The photo, taken at the White House’s trick-or-treat event, shows Leavitt, Riccio, and their one-year-old son. Comments on social media raised questions about the appearance of Riccio's face in the picture.

The Independent reviewed wire photos from the same day at the White House and found similarities between Riccio's appearance in those images and the Instagram photo. While the Instagram picture seemed edited for lighting and color, it was not confirmed if image-altering software was used. The White House was contacted for a response but did not provide one.

The online reaction mixed criticisms of political optics with personal remarks about the couple's age gap. Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary, has defended her relationship with Riccio as unique and emphasized his support for her. They met in 2022, married before Trump’s second inauguration, and have a son together.

The criticism under Leavitt's Halloween post included comments about Riccio looking older and technical observations about the image. The discussion highlights the intersection of personal and political scrutiny faced by Leavitt and the couple's public image.

The debate over potential image editing reflects broader discussions about authenticity in public figures' photos. While some defend editing as common practice, critics argue that it can blur the line between presentation and misrepresentation. Despite claims of alterations in the Halloween photo, independent photos from the event suggest limited digital manipulation.

The episode demonstrates how personal photos of political figures can quickly become subjects of debate in the digital age. The scrutiny over Leavitt's photo intertwines with broader themes of image culture, political identity, and private life, impacting the public perception of the administration's prominent figures.