White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, known for her sharp rhetoric and poised presence, recently captured hearts with an act of kindness that went viral. The 27-year-old, the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, surprised an 80-year-old high school janitor from her hometown with a brand-new red Jeep Wrangler, a gesture that left the school community and online audiences in tears. This story, however, comes with a twist: reports of this event have been debunked as clickbait, inspired by a real 2024 incident in Virginia where students crowdfunded a car for their janitor. Despite the rumors, the narrative of Leavitt’s supposed generosity offers a compelling lens into her public image and the power of viral stories.
The tale began circulating in March 2025, claiming Leavitt reconnected with “Mr. Reynolds,” a beloved janitor still working at a fictional “Jefferson High” in Concord, New Hampshire. According to the story, Leavitt, moved by his decades of service, organized a fundraiser to gift him the SUV during a school assembly. The emotional scene—complete with students cheering and the janitor wiping away tears—was said to have been captured in a video that amassed millions of views on X and YouTube. Posts described Leavitt as a “hometown hero,” with one user writing, “Karoline Leavitt’s SUV surprise for her high school janitor is the kind of story we need more of!” The hashtag #LeavittSurprise trended briefly, fueling the story’s spread.
However, fact-checking by Snopes revealed no evidence of this event. No “Jefferson High” exists in Concord, and Leavitt’s team has not confirmed any such gesture. The story appears to be a fabrication, recycling images from a 2024 Virginia fundraiser where students gifted their janitor, Francis Apraku, a car. Clickbait sites used Leavitt’s name alongside other celebrities to drive engagement, with headlines like “Karoline Leavitt’s Next Move Stuns Everyone.” Despite the falsehood, the rumor resonated because it aligned with Leavitt’s public persona as a compassionate figure, often highlighted by her openness about her faith and family life.
Leavitt, a mother to newborn Niko and wife to real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, has been celebrated for balancing her high-profile role with personal warmth. Her viral moments—like a photo of her feeding her son while working—have endeared her to many. The janitor story, though false, tapped into this image, painting her as a leader who remembers her roots. While the real Virginia students’ fundraiser was a heartwarming success, raising over $20,000, Leavitt’s rumored involvement underscores how quickly feel-good stories can spread, even if unverified.
This episode highlights the double-edged sword of viral fame: it can amplify kindness but also distort truth. Leavitt’s actual contributions, like her advocacy in the White House, remain impactful, even if this particular tale was a fabrication. The internet’s emotional response shows a hunger for stories of generosity, real or not, in a world craving connection.
