Karoline Leavitt Goes Full Cosplay for Turkey Pardon
The White House press secretary is embracing all that Thanksgiving has to offer...
It’s rare to upstage the turkeys at the White House’s traditional Thanksgiving pardon. But Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump’s press secretary managed it Tuesday—by dressing like a pilgrim.
The 28-year-old White House press secretary arrived at work on Tuesday in a black-and-white dress with ribbon-tied cuffs and collar fastenings—strikingly similar to the clothing worn by women who may have attended the first Thanksgiving in 1621.
Karoline Leavitt, 28, and her son Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio, whom she shares with her 60-year-old husband Nicholas Riccio.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
She wisely ditched her signature silver cross necklace, which would have been a major fashion faux pas to the Puritans in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, who were firmly opposed to the display of religious symbols.
It’s not clear where Leavitt made her pilgrim purchase, but a similar top is priced at $630 at Nordstrom, and cheaper versions are available at Anthropologie, on Amazon Prime and other retailers.
Leavitt’s trademark silver cross has long been the subject of speculation and mockery.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
The failed congressional candidate brought along her son, Niko, but not her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 60, for Trump and First Lady Melania’s pardoning of Gobble and Waddle, the two birds selected as National Thanksgiving Turkeys.
The annual Rose Garden ceremony has become one of America’s most whimsical political traditions, albeit not usually with themed outfits.
Leavitt embraced the Thanksgiving spirit in what appears to be pilgrim attire.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Female pilgrims wore tops ribbon-tied at the collar and cuffs and fastened in the front.
This isn’t the first time Leavitt’s style has drawn comparisons to the pilgrims.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
“There’s so much wrong with this periwinkle dress that it’s difficult to know where to start. At first glance, Karoline Leavitt looks like she’s trying to channel the pilgrims, that is if the pilgrims had access to blue dye,” Women.com wrote about a dress Leavitt wore during a press briefing in March.
Leavitt has purchased loungewear and activewear from Tuckernuck, sources told the Daily Beast.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
The List also slammed the White House secretary’s taste, writing: “Though vintage fashion can certainly prove the test of time, this pilgrim piece was past its prime and definitely not the look Leavitt should have reached for in her wardrobe.”
Trump has also settled into the Thanksgiving mood, making questionable claims that this year’s Thanksgiving dinner will be more affordable than ever.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “2025 Thanksgiving dinner under Trump is 25% lower than 2024 Thanksgiving dinner under Biden, according to Walmart. My cost are lower than the Democrats on everything, especially oil and gas! So the Democrats ‘affordability’ issue is DEAD! STOP LYING!!!”
However, his claim has fallen apart under scrutiny: Walmart’s 2025 $39.33 Thanksgiving package features 22 items, while the chain’s 2024 meal, which cost $56, had 29 items. And some of the recurring items have shrunk: fried onions have gone down from 6oz to 4.5oz.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in
Login dialog
Sign in or create an account
Login dialog
Loading comments…