White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday she is expecting

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that she is expecting her second child, a baby girl due in May next year. The announcement comesless than a year after Leavitt assumed her role at the podium in the James S. Brady Briefing Room, marking a significant personal milestone set against the backdrop of a high-pressure administration in the White House.

Karoline Leavitt shares gratitude for growing family

Leavitt, 28, shared the news via social media, posting a photograph of herself and an ultrasound image beside a Christmas tree. The news highlights a rapidly growing family for the press secretary, who welcomed her first child, a son named Niko, in July 2024 during the height of the presidential campaign.

The announcement offers a glimpse into the personal life of one of the administration’s most visible figures in the White House. Leavitt expressed deep enthusiasm about expanding her family with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. In an exclusive statement provided to Fox News Digital, Leavitt described her feelings regarding the pregnancy and the upcoming addition to their household.

Leavitt told Fox News Digital, “My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.” This sentiment reflects Leavitt’s frequent discussion of motherhood as a central pillar of her life, even as she navigates the demands of the West Wing. Her first son, Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio, is currently 17 months old.

Professional future for Karoline Leavitt

Historically, the role of White House Press Secretary is a grueling, round-the-clock position that leaves little room for personal time. However, administration officials have confirmed that Leavitt intends to remain in her post at the White House. Following the birth of her son in July 2024, she returned to the campaign trail almost immediately, citing the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, as a motivating factor to forgo a traditional maternity leave.

This decision positions her to become the first pregnant press secretary in United States history, a notable distinction for the young spokeswoman. Leavitt emphasized that her ability to balance these dual roles is facilitated by a supportive work environment. She credited the administration’s leadership for enabling her to manage both her career and her growing family.

As reported by NBC News, Leavitt wrote in her announcement, “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. 2026 is going to be a great year and I am so excited to be a girl mom!” This is not the first time Leavitt has balanced a newborn with high-stakes political work in the White House.

Family dynamics surrounding Karoline Leavitt

While the pregnancy announcement focuses on celebration, Leavitt’s family life has recently intersected with the complexities of the administration’s immigration policies. Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, 60, a businessman she met during her 2022 congressional run in New Hampshire. The couple married in a private ceremony, and Leavitt has previously spoken about the strength of their relationship despite their age gap.

However, the family has faced recent scrutiny involving extended relatives. In November, Bruna Caroline Ferreira, the mother of Leavitt’s nephew and godson, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near Boston. Ferreira is a Brazilian national who arrived to the U.S. as child. She was reportedly taken into custody while picking up her son from school.

The incident drew significant media attention, highlighting the often complicated reality where personal relationships meet strict federal enforcement. While Ferreira was released following an immigration judge’s order, the event placed Leavitt’s family in the headlines just weeks before her pregnancy announcement. Leavitt has not publicly commented on the specifics of the detention or her relationship with Ferreira.

Final Thoughts

Now, as she prepares for the arrival of her daughter in the spring of 2026, Leavitt faces the unique challenge of managing the daily messaging of the executive branch while preparing for a newborn. Her decision to stay in office suggests the administration is keen to maintain continuity in its communications department as it moves into the second year of the term.