In a heartfelt Instagram post, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced her pregnancy, revealing that she and her husband Nick Riccio are expecting a baby girl. The couple anticipates the arrival of their second child in May 2026. Their first child, a son named Niko, was born in July 2024.
Leavitt, 28, conveyed her excitement about the pregnancy, referring to it as the "greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for." She expressed an overflowing sense of gratitude to God and described motherhood as the closest thing to Heaven on Earth. In her social media post, she also extended thanks to President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for cultivating a pro-family environment within the administration. Looking forward to becoming a "girl mom," Leavitt is optimistic about the year ahead.
As the administration's primary spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt has remained a prominent figure, navigating intense media scrutiny and continuous political debate. Her pregnancy announcement has garnered national attention, coinciding with recent reports by the Daily Mail about behind-the-scenes discussions regarding potential successors for the press secretary role. This news has sparked speculation about the duration of Leavitt's tenure in her current position as her family expands.
Leavitt's personal life has often been in the public eye, especially her marriage to Riccio, who is 31 years her senior. The couple met during Leavitt's unsuccessful congressional bid in New Hampshire in 2022, starting as friends before their relationship evolved romantically. Despite early hesitations about the age difference, Leavitt has consistently lauded Riccio as her life's backbone and her strongest supporter.
The demands of Leavitt's role have brought challenges to her personal life. She humorously mentioned developing a form of PTSD when scheduling date nights, as international crises often lead to last-minute cancellations. Leavitt has had to forego multiple planned weekend getaways due to sudden developments in foreign policy, highlighting the unpredictable nature of her job.
Other administration officials have echoed Leavitt's sentiments about the White House's culture, describing it as exceptionally supportive of staff members with young families. This has included allowing family visits to the West Wing during work hours. Supporters point to Leavitt's pregnancy as a testament to the administration's commitment to family values, a recurring theme emphasized by President Trump during his campaigns and tenure in office.
As Leavitt gears up to welcome her new child, her announcement not only signifies a personal milestone but also accentuates her pivotal presence in a dynamic and high-stakes political climate.
