Karoline Leavitt to welcome second baby next week

President Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt is expected to give birth to her second child next week, according to a White House official.

It is not immediately clear how long Leavitt will be away from the podium. Federal employees — including those in the executive branch — are generally entitled to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.  

No one is expected to formally fill in during Leavitt’s absence, with the White House instead opting to have a rotating cast of administration officials brief the press. An official told NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network, that could also potentially include Trump and Vice President Vance.

Leavitt is the youngest White House press secretary in history at 28 years old, and she is the first known to be pregnant while serving in the role.

The press secretary announced in December that she and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, were expecting a daughter. Their first child, Niko, was born in July 2024 and has frequently appeared with Leavitt in the briefing room during special events.

She thanked Trump and chief of staff Susie Wiles for their “support, and for fostering a pro-family environment in the White House.”

Leavitt, in a post on Instagram a day after Christmas, wrote, “2026 is going to be a great year and I am so excited to be a girl mom!”

The press secretary has not taken any significant time off during her pregnancy, continuing to speak on behalf of the Trump administration as she reshapes the briefing landscape to prioritize “new media” voices over traditional news outlets.

She introduced an area for new media representatives in the briefing room early last year. That spot is often occupied by podcasters, independent journalists and content creators, and Leavitt has made a habit of calling on those individuals to ask the first questions.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

More In The Know News

Senators to introduce Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act for SNAP recipients

GOP senators ratchet up pressure on Speaker Johnson to quickly end DHS shutdown

Hegseth gives 2 questions to TMZ at Operation Epic Fury briefing

Israel’s Netanyahu reveals cancer diagnosis

2 GOP senators break ranks on final Senate budget vote

‘Flashing red’ warning signs for GOP put Senate in play

DOJ drops criminal probe of Fed, Jerome Powell

4 GOP senators vote against adding SAVE America Act to budget package

Trump’s decline is an emergency: Why doesn't Congress treat it like one?

Hegseth responds to pope’s criticism: ‘We know what authority we have’

2 Republicans break with party as GOP defeats budget amendment to lower health ...

Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes’s independence watchdog

India knocks disparaging post shared by Trump

Navy secretary’s removal points to Trump’s anxiety over shipbuilding

Republican proposes giving part of Virginia back to DC after redistricting loss

Democrats worry they may be taking the wrong lesson from recent wins

5 takeaways from first major California governor’s debate after Swalwell exit

Liberals shocked! San Francisco fixed its subway by stopping crime 

The Hill Podcasts – Morning Report

© The Hill