Pregnant Karoline Leavitt Postpones Maternity Leave to Hold Last-Minute White House Press Briefing

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has made the surprising decision to delay her maternity leave to host a press briefing on Monday, April 27, following a harrowing shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner just days earlier.

Leavitt, 28, had initially announced that Friday, April 24, would be her last day briefing reporters as she prepared to welcome her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio. However, in the wake of the attack at the event, Leavitt returned to work to address the situation. The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly attempted to target members of the Trump administration at the dinner, where both Leavitt and Riccio were in attendance.

During the chaos, Leavitt and other senior members of the administration quickly convened at the White House for an emergency press briefing. President Donald Trump condemned the shooter, labeling him as “a very sick person” as he assured the nation of the safety of those in attendance. Allen, who had allegedly written a manifesto detailing his plans, was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including assault on a federal officer.

Leavitt, who is due to give birth in May 2026, previously shared her excitement about her growing family on Instagram, announcing her pregnancy in December 2025. This will be her second child, a girl, with Riccio, whom she married in January 2025. The couple also share a son, Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio, who is one year old.

This isn’t the first time Leavitt has delayed maternity leave due to significant events. After the assassination attempt on Trump in 2024, she returned to work immediately after the birth of her first child to support the campaign.

Leavitt’s ability to balance family and a high-profile political career continues to capture public attention as she navigates a tumultuous time in Washington.