Karoline Leavitt returned to the White House podium on July 16, opening her first briefing after maternity leave with a simple declaration: “Let’s get back to work.” The 28-year-old press secretary had stepped away from her position at the end of April after giving birth to her second child, daughter Viviana, on May 1.
Leavitt is the first White House press secretary to give birth while serving in the role. She announced her pregnancy in December 2025, becoming the first expectant press secretary in U.S. history. Her final briefing before leave came on April 27, two days after an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
When Leavitt’s first child was born in July 2024 during the presidential campaign, she took just four days of maternity leave before returning to the campaign trail. This time, her absence lasted longer—roughly 2.5 months—as she cared for her newborn and her toddler son, Nicholas, or “Niko,” now two years old. Her husband, Nicholas Riccio, stayed home with both children during her return to work.
In her absence, the White House press office rotated top officials through the briefing room. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared the combat stage of the U.S. operation in Iran “over” on May 5, while Vice President JD Vance made two appearances addressing questions about the administration’s anti-weaponization fund and a memorandum of understanding with Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also took a turn at the lectern, fielding inquiries about the Iran conflict and economic policy. The briefings became less frequent overall without Leavitt’s regular presence.
At age 28, Leavitt holds the distinction of being the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history. She served as an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term and emerged as one of his most effective spokespeople during his second, cultivating a personal brand as a dedicated advocate for the president while also presenting herself publicly as a devoted working mother.
When asked by an independent journalist at her return briefing how she manages “having it all” as a working mother of two young children, Leavitt offered a straightforward answer: “I don’t think there is a secret. You just have to show up every day and keep going.” She acknowledged the challenge of her demanding role while framing it as public service, stating, “It’s challenging. But for me, I view this as more than job — I view this as public service.”
Sources
- CNN — Leavitt’s return briefing, her opening remarks, her response to the “having it all” question, her husband staying home with children, and her first child’s four-day maternity leave in 2024.
- NBC News — Birth announcement of daughter Viviana on May 1, 2026; Leavitt’s final briefing on April 27; her status as first press secretary to give birth while serving.
- Washington Examiner — Confirmation of Leavitt’s July 16 return briefing and her absence since late April.
- Fox News — Leavitt’s status as first pregnant press secretary in U.S. history.
- Politico — Announcement of Leavitt’s pregnancy in December 2025, making her the first expectant White House press secretary in American history.
- Wikipedia — Confirmation that Leavitt is the youngest person to hold the White House press secretary position.
