White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday that she is expecting her second child, sharing the news publicly as she continues to serve in one of the most visible roles in the Trump administration.
Leavitt said she and her husband are expecting a baby girl in May, marking another personal milestone during her first year as White House press secretary.
“The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for a baby girl coming in May two thousand twenty six,” Leavitt wrote in an Instagram post alongside photos featuring a Christmas tree and an ultrasound image.
She added that her family is “thrilled to grow” and expressed gratitude for motherhood. Leavitt, twenty eight, is among the youngest people to serve as White House press secretary.
A role that places her at the center of daily interactions between the administration and the national press corps.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was appointed shortly after President Donald Trump won reelection in November.
She formally assumed the position following Trump’s inauguration in January, after previously serving as national press secretary for his two thousand twenty four campaign.
Leavitt’s first child, a son named Nicholas after his father and nicknamed Niko, was born in July two thousand twenty four, several months before the presidential election.
She and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, met in two thousand twenty two during her unsuccessful congressional campaign in New Hampshire.
In previous media interviews, Leavitt has spoken openly about balancing family life with her political career.
On a February podcast appearance with Megyn Kelly, she described her husband as her “greatest supporter” and credited him with providing stability during a demanding period.
Political analysts say Leavitt’s announcement reflects a broader trend of younger administration officials navigating family life while holding senior government roles.
“White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt represents a generational shift in political leadership,” said Dr. Elaine Morris, a political communication scholar at Georgetown University.
“Her visibility as a working parent in such a demanding position adds another dimension to conversations about work life balance in government.”
Morris said public interest in such announcements often extends beyond personal curiosity. “For many Americans, it humanizes an office that can otherwise feel distant or institutional,” she said.
Former White House communications officials noted that the press secretary role is among the most time intensive positions in the administration, often requiring long hours, travel and rapid response to breaking news.
Historically, only a small number of White House press secretaries have welcomed children while serving in the role.
Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany, who also served under Trump, both had young children during their tenures, though neither gave birth while holding the post.
According to data from the Center for American Women and Politics, women under forty remain underrepresented in senior White House communications roles, though that gap has narrowed over the past decade.
Leavitt is one of the youngest individuals to hold the press secretary title in modern administrations.
The announcement also comes amid renewed national discussion about parental leave policies in government, though White House officials declined to comment on whether Leavitt plans to take maternity leave or whether an interim press secretary would be named.
Some White House reporters said Leavitt’s announcement was met with congratulations across party and professional lines.
“Regardless of politics, there’s a shared understanding of how demanding that job is,” said one veteran White House correspondent who requested anonymity to speak candidly.
“Many people here recognize the challenge of balancing family and a role that never really turns off.” Outside Washington, reactions were similarly measured.
“It’s encouraging to see leaders be open about family life,” said Maria Sanchez, a small business owner in Manchester, New Hampshire.
“It reminds people that public officials are navigating the same personal moments as everyone else.”
In her social media post, Leavitt thanked President Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for what she described as a supportive, pro family environment.
She did not outline specific plans for maternity leave or adjustments to her schedule. Administration officials have not indicated whether a deputy would temporarily assume briefing duties following the birth.
Previous administrations have relied on deputy press secretaries to fill in during absences, a model that could be used again.
Leavitt has said she plans to continue serving in her role, and allies within the administration suggest any transition would be handled internally without disrupting daily operations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s pregnancy announcement adds a personal chapter to her early tenure in one of Washington’s most demanding communications roles.
As she prepares to welcome her second child while serving at the center of the Trump administration, the development highlights the intersection of public service and private life that continues to shape modern political leadership.
