White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced she is expecting her second child, a baby girl, due in May 2026. The news has prompted a renewed look at her previous candid comments about the challenges and rewards of being a working mother in a high-profile political role.
A Christmas Announcement and Growing Family
Leavitt, 28, shared the happy news on Instagram this Friday. In a post featuring a photograph of her cradling her baby bump by a Christmas tree, she revealed she and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 60, are anticipating the arrival of a daughter.
The couple already have a one-year-old son, Niko, who will become a big brother in the spring. "The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for," Leavitt wrote, expressing that her heart was "overflowing with gratitude" for the "blessing of motherhood."
In her social media message, she also extended thanks to President Donald Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for their support and for fostering what she described as a "pro-family environment" within the White House.
Previous Remarks on Work-Life Balance Resurface
As Leavitt prepares to become a mother of two, her past reflections on navigating her career and parenthood have regained attention. In a 2024 interview with The Conservateur, she spoke openly about the difficulties and the supportive culture she experienced.
Notably, Leavitt returned to work just days after giving birth to her son in July 2024. This decision followed the attempted assassination of President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. "I felt compelled to be present in this historic moment," she explained, adding that the President "put his life on the line" and the least she could do was return swiftly.
She had worked up until the final days of her pregnancy while serving as national press secretary for Trump's presidential campaign. Leavitt described the campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach as exceptionally welcoming for parents, where colleagues often brought their children to the office.
The Emotional Reality of a Demanding Role
Despite her clear dedication and appreciation for her role, Leavitt did not shy away from discussing the emotional toll. She confessed in the interview that "leaving the baby every day to go to work, it does break your heart," calling it "incredibly challenging emotionally, physically, spiritually."
She recounted late-night and early-morning work calls with a colleague, Sonny Joy Nelson, where both their babies could be heard crying in the background. "We’re working together through the chaos. And it’s a crazy but very rewarding thing all at the same time," Leavitt said.
Looking to the future, she expressed hope that her son would learn the value of confidence and self-worth from her example. Her ultimate wish was that he would one day be proud of what she accomplished during his earliest years.
With a second child on the way, Leavitt's journey as a prominent figure in the Trump administration and a mother continues to draw public interest, highlighting the ongoing conversation about family life at the highest levels of politics.
