Karoline Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in White House history at just 28 years old, is expected to welcome her second child next week, according to a White House official. 
While it’s unclear how long Leavitt will be absent from her duties, federal employees, including those in the executive branch, are typically entitled to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. However, the White House has not designated a formal replacement. Instead, a rotating group of administration officials, including possibly President Trump and Vice President Vance, will take on the task of briefing the press during her leave. 
Leavitt, who made history as the first pregnant White House 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 made numerous appearances with Leavitt at press briefings during special events. Leavitt expressed her gratitude to Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, praising their “support and for fostering a pro-family environment in the White House.” :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(726x225:728x227)/karoline-leavitt-Nicholas-Riccio-031725-6ebb2b090ab341d8a77933d2c82bb707.jpg)
Reflecting on her upcoming journey as a mother of two, Leavitt posted on Instagram after Christmas, saying, “2026 is going to be a great year, and I am so excited to be a girl mom!” 
Throughout her pregnancy, Leavitt has continued to serve at the podium, making history as one of the most prominent figures in the Trump administration while reshaping the briefing landscape. She introduced a new media section in the briefing room in early 2025, often calling on podcasters, independent journalists, and content creators to ask the first questions.
As Leavitt prepares for her leave, the question remains: who will step into her shoes to represent the White House in her absence? Could we see Trump himself at the podium? Only time will tell.
Source: Daily Mail
