Karoline Leavitt has rapidly become one of the most discussed names in U.S. politics, not only for serving as White House press secretary to Donald Trump, but also for her eerie ability to draw attention, sometimes for all the wrong reasons. While political affiliation and communications strategy are up for grabs in the public arena, Leavitt’s tanning experiments have produced their own highlight reel of gaffes. From tone-deaf color choices to orange glows that rival her boss, these instances have caused raised eyebrows and fueled buzz across social media.
A Tan Too Far: When Hands Told a Different Story
In February 2025, Leavitt posted a Valentine’s Day photo on Instagram featuring a sweet moment with her baby. But what stood out was less maternal and more cosmetic, her hands were visibly paler than her deeply bronzed face. A rookie mistake in the world of fake tanning, this contrast suggested either an overload of bronzer or a failure to blend products properly across different skin zones
This type of mismatch can be prevented and emphasizes the necessity of blending and tone-matching, important takeaways for anyone who dabbles in self-tanning or extreme contouring.
When Makeup and Tanning Were Not on Speaking Terms
Flashback to December 2020, when Leavitt celebrated “A White House Christmas” in a red sequin dress. The issue? Her body glowed with a deep bronze, while her face appeared to have gotten the wrong memo. This probably was caused by applying foundation that was not in line with her present tan. It’s a traditional faux pas in actual tanning and fake methods as well, the infamous two-tone effect. And considering how rapidly the internet reacts to these instances, this image also was broken down on boards such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
The Forearm Faux Pas That Couldn’t Be Missed
One of the more glaring tan failures occurred in mid-2024 when Leavitt posted a mirror selfie cradling her newborn. Her forearms and upper arms were much darker, a definitive instance of inconsistent exposure. Whether through actual sun or spotty application of a self-tan product, the variation was difficult to overlook. With today’s photograph-driven culture, particularly for people in the public eye, inconsistencies like these inevitably steal the day, no matter the moment’s emotional value.
Sun-Kissed but Neck Neglected
In a July 2023 Newsmax appearance, Leavitt shared behind-the-scenes photos that again revealed tan trouble. Her neck was paler than her sun-baked face and arms, and her legs were also pale. This indicates a natural tan, likely acquired outdoors, but yet again fell short of the consistency demanded in public appearances. Uneven tanning such as this has a tendency to attract attention not just in individual posts but also from sharp-eyed viewers on forums such as Reddit and political satire websites.
When Trump’s Hue Rubbed Off – Literally
Leavitt’s September 2024 debate night appearance was the closest emulation yet to Donald Trump’s infamous orange glow. Campaign colors and a notably artificial-looking tan complemented her skin tone as it drifted into orange territory, a color found only infrequently in nature. More even than previous efforts, perhaps, the artificial color clung too closely to Trump’s years-long tanning mistakes. This generated good-natured but critical conversation online, with observations drifting through political forums and even late-night television segments.
Conclusion
Tanning accidents might appear minor in politics, but with today’s high-visibility visual media environment, they become news. For Karoline Leavitt, whose allegiance to Trump cannot be doubted, these appearance bloopers occasionally steal attention away from her message. Either due to makeup mismatches or artificial tanning practices that don’t work, these instances serve as reminders that image management transcends policy, particularly in the era of Instagram.
Also read: Karoline Leavitt’s Smokey Eye Fuels Speculation During Political Upheaval
