New York, NY — Geraldo Rivera, a well-known media personality and former Fox News journalist, surprised many with his recent endorsement of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on social media. In a post made on March 25, 2026, Rivera praised Leavitt as a capable and loyal spokesperson for the president, a notable shift in tone given his earlier criticisms of the Trump administration.
“Karoline Leavitt is a terrific White House press secretary, measured, controlled, informed, competent,” he wrote. His endorsement stood out not just for the praise but for its unexpected timing, particularly since Rivera had previously voiced strong dissent on key issues pertaining to the administration.
Two months prior, Rivera took a starkly opposing stance following a controversial incident involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting in Minneapolis. The death of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, drew significant scrutiny and sparked outrage. While Leavitt defended the administration’s position on social media, Rivera openly criticized the narrative, stating that the killing was “entirely unnecessary.”
This contradiction between Rivera’s earlier condemnations and his later commendation of Leavitt raises questions about his motivations. In January, he emphasized the need for police accountability, contrasting sharply with the administration’s stance, which sought to deflect blame. The swift pivot to endorsing Leavitt, known for her robust defense of the administration’s messaging, suggests a complex relationship with the current political landscape.
Rivera’s complicated history with the Trump administration goes back even further. Earlier in February 2026, during a press briefing, Leavitt referenced Rivera as someone who had inaccurately labeled Trump as racist due to his immigration policies. This focus on Rivera highlighted the divide between himself and the White House, making his recent praise for Leavitt all the more surprising.
Speculation abounds as to what might have motivated Rivera’s change of heart. Some observers have noted personal similarities between Rivera and Leavitt, including their age differences in their respective marriages. Rivera, 82, is married to a woman 31 years his junior, while Leavitt, 27, is wed to a man 30 years older. While the implications of these similarities are unclear, they have sparked conversations among audiences online.
Rivera’s general trajectory in media further complicates his current stance. He has long identified as a liberal, yet his tenure at Fox News has seen him gradually gravitate towards the political right, often expressing views at odds with his earlier positions. This pattern of evolving viewpoints has made Rivera a challenging figure to classify within the current media environment.
Leavitt, meanwhile, has not responded publicly to Rivera’s recent endorsement. As press secretary, she is navigating her own set of challenges, including ongoing discussions regarding the administration’s military actions in Iran and tensions with the press. Additionally, she has faced backlash over allegations that she attempted to remove a controversial photo from news archives.
In the days following Rivera’s post, his support has spurred discussions within media circles about its implications. Critics and supporters alike are questioning the reasoning behind his unexpected praise, considering Rivera’s history as someone who has been vocal about power dynamics. For those who have followed his career, the question remains: what led to this remarkable shift in allegiance?