Karoline Leavitt is once again under fire—not for her politics, but for her face. A viral photo from a recent White House briefing has reignited rumors of plastic surgery, with critics pointing to a “permanent Joker smile,” a suspiciously tiny nose, and what some claim is an overuse of Botox. Social media erupted, comparing her to a “budget Kardashian,” while others claim she’s unrecognizable from just a year ago. Leavitt has stayed silent, but the internet won’t let it go. Is this just misogynistic nitpicking—or did Trump’s press secretary truly go too far under the knife?

Karoline Leavitt Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Plastic Surgery Rumors Resurface: What’s Fact, What’s Gossip, and Why It Matters

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in White House history, is once again under fire—not for her policies, not for her press briefings, but for her appearance. Over the past week, a viral photo from a routine press conference has reignited social media speculation about whether the 27-year-old has undergone plastic surgery. What started as a single tweet mocking what one user called her “permanent Joker smile” has since exploded into a full-blown online debate, with critics pointing to everything from her nose to her smile lines as alleged evidence of cosmetic intervention.

As the press secretary for President Donald Trump’s second administration, Leavitt is no stranger to controversy. But the latest round of attention has little to do with politics and everything to do with a very personal—and very public—question: Has Karoline Leavitt had work done?

The Image That Sparked It All

The current wave of speculation began when a screenshot from a May 2025 press briefing began circulating on X (formerly Twitter). In it, Leavitt is seen smiling broadly behind the iconic White House podium. To some observers, her expression seemed unnaturally stiff.

“@The WH propaganda arm is Karoline Leavitt @PressSec, who’s had so much plastic surgery that her face is now a permanent Joker smile,” one user wrote, alongside the image. The comment triggered a flurry of replies, ranging from mocking memes to critical side-by-side comparisons of Leavitt now versus photos of her from three years ago.

“Did she get a new nose?” asked another. “She’s gone full Kardashian, and not in a good way.”

Cosmetic Surgery or Camera Angle? Experts Weigh In

While plastic surgery rumors are common for high-profile women—especially those in politics—the intensity of the conversation surrounding Leavitt has raised questions about how much of it is grounded in fact and how much is fueled by aesthetics and bias.

Dr. Rachel Linden, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in D.C. who has not treated Leavitt, reviewed public photos and offered a neutral perspective: “From what I can see, there are changes that could be the result of contouring makeup, lighting, or mild cosmetic enhancements such as fillers or Botox. But unless someone has publicly confirmed undergoing procedures, it’s all speculation.”

Indeed, Leavitt has not commented on the rumors. She has previously shared a fondness for cosmetics and has spoken about how appearing polished in public is part of her professional brand. But when it comes to plastic surgery? She’s remained tight-lipped.

An All-Too-Familiar Pattern for Women in Politics

Karoline Leavitt is hardly the first woman in politics to be subjected to public dissection over her looks. From Hillary Clinton to Nikki Haley to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, female figures—especially those in high-pressure, high-visibility roles—have often had their appearance scrutinized in ways their male counterparts rarely experience.

It’s a phenomenon deeply tied to gender expectations. For someone like Leavitt, who holds one of the most visible positions in the Trump administration, that scrutiny is amplified by the political polarization she represents. Supporters see her as a rising conservative star. Critics view her as a talking head for a controversial administration. And somewhere in the crossfire, her face has become a battleground.

The Public’s Fascination With Her Personal Life

Part of what fuels this intense scrutiny is that Leavitt’s personal life has been highly publicized. In January 2025, she married 59-year-old real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, more than three decades her senior. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Benjamin, in July 2024. Leavitt returned to work just weeks after giving birth, a move that drew both praise for her dedication and criticism from those who saw it as performative.

Her age, her rapid political rise, her marriage, and now her alleged plastic surgery—these elements have combined to make her a uniquely polarizing figure. For every fan calling her a “trailblazer,” there’s a critic questioning her authenticity or accusing her of being too “scripted.”

From Congress Hopeful to the White House Podium

Leavitt’s career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. After interning at the White House during Trump’s first term and later serving as assistant press secretary, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District in 2022. Although she won the Republican primary, she lost the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas. Still, her campaign caught the eye of Trump insiders.

In 2024, during Trump’s return bid for the presidency, she served as his national press secretary. After his re-election, she was tapped to lead the press operation from the West Wing—making her, at just 27, the youngest person ever to hold the position.

It’s a high-stakes, high-pressure role. And with every televised briefing, every interview, every viral clip, the spotlight on Leavitt only intensifies.

Plastic Surgery Rumors: Distraction or Double Standard?

The current discourse raises a larger question: why do we care so much? For critics, the plastic surgery accusations are a way to delegitimize Leavitt without addressing her policies. For some, it’s rooted in genuine curiosity. But for many, it’s another example of the double standards women in power continue to face.

The irony? For all the chatter about Botox or fillers, Leavitt has never confirmed anything—and she likely won’t. Silence has long been her strategy when it comes to personal criticism. Whether it’s attacks on her marriage, her parenting choices, or her appearance, she rarely, if ever, gives detractors the satisfaction of a response.

Will She Address the Rumors? Probably Not

While many public figures would use a moment like this to set the record straight or generate media buzz, those close to Leavitt suggest she’s unlikely to engage.

“She’s focused on policy, not press,” said one aide. “She’s not going to step away from the podium just to talk about cheekbones or collagen. It’s not who she is.”

And in a way, that non-response is the response.

Conclusion: The Power—and Perils—of Being Visible

Whether Karoline Leavitt has had cosmetic work done or not is beside the point. The real story lies in what her face has come to represent: youth, ambition, visibility, and power in a space that still doesn’t know what to do with women who possess all three.

As press secretary, Leavitt knows that every expression, every word, every image is dissected. She also knows the rumors won’t stop. But if history is any guide, she won’t be derailed by them.

She’ll keep walking to the podium, flash that controversial smile—whether natural or not—and speak not with her face, but with her words.

And perhaps, that’s all that really matters.