White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced she is expecting her second child, sharing the personal milestone publicly just days after Christmas. The announcement, delivered via social media, quickly drew attention—not only for the pregnancy itself, but for an unusual element woven into the message: a direct expression of gratitude to President Donald Trump.
Leavitt, one of the youngest press secretaries in U.S. history and a prominent figure within the Trump administration, revealed that she and her husband are expecting a baby girl in May 2026. The announcement came in the form of an Instagram post featuring a series of family photographs, including one showing her standing beside a decorated Christmas tree, cradling a visibly growing baby bump.
“The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for — baby girl coming in May 2026,” Leavitt wrote in the caption.
Additional images included an ultrasound photo, a small shirt reading “Baby sis,” and a family photo showing her husband, Nicholas Riccio, holding their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio—known as Niko—who is just over a year old.
Leavitt, 27, already balances the demands of motherhood with one of the most high-profile communications roles in Washington. In her post, she described motherhood in deeply personal and spiritual terms, writing that her heart was “overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood,” which she described as “the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.”
What made the announcement stand out, however, was what followed.
Rather than ending her message there, Leavitt took the uncommon step of publicly thanking her employer—President Donald Trump—along with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. She credited both for creating what she described as a supportive, pro-family work environment inside the West Wing.
“I am also extremely grateful to President Trump and our Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for their support, and for fostering a pro-family environment in the White House,” she wrote.
The inclusion of Trump’s name in what is typically a strictly personal announcement sparked discussion online, with critics and supporters alike weighing in. While some viewed the comment as unnecessary or politically performative, others defended it as a reflection of Leavitt’s loyalty to the administration and her appreciation for workplace accommodations that allowed her to continue working while raising a young child.
Leavitt concluded her post on an upbeat note, declaring that the coming year “is going to be a great year” and expressing excitement about becoming a mother to a daughter.
Her pregnancy announcement comes after a particularly intense period in her professional life. Leavitt gave birth to her first child in July 2024, just days before an assassination attempt against Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident shook the campaign and dramatically altered the pace and pressure of those final months leading up to the 2024 election.
In the aftermath, Leavitt returned to work sooner than she had initially planned. Earlier this year, she spoke candidly about the challenges of navigating early motherhood while operating in a crisis-driven political environment.
“I think every working mother understands the demands,” she said in an interview with The Christian Broadcasting Network. “And no matter where you are, what you’re doing, there is a sense of guilt.”
She added that she makes a conscious effort to spend as much time as possible with her son outside working hours, particularly on weekends and evenings.
Despite the pressures, Leavitt remained a constant presence throughout Trump’s 2024 campaign, often juggling press responsibilities with childcare. During the campaign period, she worked largely from home, a flexibility she later described as crucial.
“I was able to easily go downstairs and do a quick TV hit and then, of course, attend to my child,” she said on the Post Run High podcast.
As the campaign intensified, she transitioned back into the office and frequently brought her infant son with her, something she said required adaptability but ultimately proved manageable.
“Then I went back to the office as soon as I could, and brought my baby to the office with me,” Leavitt explained. “He was always with me throughout the entire duration of the campaign, and we just made it work.”
Images of Leavitt holding her son backstage or in campaign settings became emblematic for supporters who praised her as an example of modern working motherhood within conservative politics. At the same time, critics argued that her experience was not representative of most working parents, given the resources and flexibility available to senior White House staff.
Now, as she prepares to welcome a second child, Leavitt appears intent on reinforcing the message that family life and high-level political work need not be mutually exclusive.
Her public acknowledgment of Trump’s support reflects a broader theme frequently emphasized by the administration: the promotion of family values and workplace policies framed as pro-parent and pro-child. Whether that message resonates beyond political loyalists remains a point of debate, but Leavitt’s announcement has unquestionably reignited discussion around motherhood, politics, and professional life at the highest levels of government.
As May 2026 approaches, Leavitt is expected to continue in her role as press secretary, navigating another pregnancy under the intense scrutiny that comes with serving as the public face of the White House. For now, she appears confident, grateful, and optimistic—both about her growing family and her future inside the administration.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
