Loved-up Danica Patrick gushes over ‘legend’ Karoline Leavitt after her White House exit as she flaunts shredded physique on European trip

Danica Patrick has called Karoline Leavitt an ‘absolute legend’ as she gushed over Donald Trump’s press secretary following her decision to leave the White House.

Leavitt announced earlier this week that she’s quitting the White House at the end of the month to spend more time with her family.

The 28-year-old, who gave birth to a second child in May and only returned to the White House from maternity leave on July 16, admitted it was a ‘bittersweet decision.’

Trump later posted on Truth Social it was ‘a decision I totally understand and respect’, calling Leavitt ‘one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office.’

The President said Leavitt would remain a ‘top outside adviser’ and an ‘influential voice’ at the top of the Republican Party as the White House gears up for crunch midterm elections in November.

And former NASCAR driver Patrick, a staunch MAGA supporter, also heaped praise on Leavitt on Instagram on Thursday.

She posted on her story: ‘What an absolute legend you are @karolineleavitt for the job you have done as press secretary for the White House!

‘Loved every witty and intelligent min of watching you deliver news and truth!

‘Congrats on the great work and the decision to step away and focus on your motherhood and your family.’ 

In April, Patrick reunited with President Trump in Arizona and took one of the best seats in the house for his speech at a Turning Point USA event.

She has been a huge Trump supporter over recent years, speaking out for him on the campaign trail and claiming she had never voted in an election before Trump entered politics.

She shared two pictures on Instagram after meeting up with him again and was thrilled to have a quick chat with the President.

‘My friend, POTUS,’ she wrote. ‘First pics was me telling him how much I love his buddy Dana White and going to my first UFC fight after meeting him last November at a MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) summit.

‘What a wild, weird and amazing life I get to live. Another amazing event put on by Turning Point USA.’

She also shared the images to her Instagram story, adding: ‘Our President is badass and funny.’ 

Also on Thursday, Patrick once again shared pictures of her kissing her now boyfriend as they soaked up the sun in Santorini.

The racing legend and former NASCAR driver, 44, shared an array of images from her sun-drenched trip to the Greek island having already visited Ibiza and Mykonos.

In one picture, Patrick posed in gym wear from the top of the mountain overlooking the ocean and it was easy to see her ripped physique.

Other photos showed Patrick and her new boyfriend, whose identity still remains a mystery, exchanging a kiss.

She captioned the post: ‘Santorini is stunning…. Probably the most beautiful elevated hotel view I have ever seen!

‘We hiked (I mean climbed) questionable mountains, ate the best food of the trip, learned about Greek wine, discovered Greek cats do love feta (and we fed them a lot), and decided from now on… packing light in Europe due to hills is very smart.

‘Oh, and Stew is fascinated with fancy food but will only eat steak and potatoes.’

The couple have kept their romance extremely low key in recent months but looked extremely loved up in the images.

They first went public with their relationship back in December when Patrick posted photos of them enjoying a romantic trip to a luxury hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Patrick was most recently with Carter Comstock until they went their separate ways in March 2022 after a year of dating.

She also famously had a relationship with NFL icon Aaron Rodgers, but that ended acrimoniously in 2020 when he still played for the Green Bay Packers. 

Patrick has had more time to herself this summer after departing from her role as a Formula One analyst with Sky Sports shortly before the 2026 season began.

She had been part of their coverage for the past five seasons, first appearing during the United States Grand Prix in October 2021.