White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced she is expecting her second child, a baby girl, who is due in May 2026. The announcement, made a day after Christmas, immediately sparked speculation about who would temporarily fill her high-profile role during her maternity leave.
Lara Trump Ends Speculation, Praises Leavitt's Work Ethic
However, the speculation was short-lived. Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, appeared on Fox News to firmly shut down any talk of a replacement. "Karoline Leavitt is a machine. She's incredible. And she's going nowhere," Lara Trump stated emphatically. She dismissed reports about a succession plan, declaring, "I have seen stories of people saying who's next in line. Nobody is next in line. It's Karoline. She can do everything."
Lara Trump highlighted Leavitt's previous dedication during the Trump campaign, noting she was pregnant with her first son, Niko, and returned to work on television within days of delivery. She credited the Trump White House with fostering a pro-family culture, mentioning that Chief of Staff Susie Wiles schedules meetings to allow parents time for school drop-offs.
Leavitt's Personal Announcement and Public Reaction
Karoline Leavitt, 28, shared her joy on Instagram with a photo showing her baby bump in front of a Christmas tree. "My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother," she wrote. She expressed deep gratitude, calling motherhood "the closest thing to Heaven on Earth." Leavitt also thanked Lara Trump for her supportive comments on social media.
The announcement brought renewed public attention to the 32-year age gap between Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 60. Additionally, some online commentators raised questions about Leavitt reportedly getting cosmetic fillers during her pregnancy, based on a photo published in Vanity Fair.
A Look Ahead for the White House Spokesperson
With Lara Trump's definitive statement, the narrative has shifted from who will replace Leavitt to how she will manage her demanding role while expecting. Lara Trump even quipped that people could look forward to seeing Leavitt "schooling fake news media" while eight or nine months pregnant. The episode underscores the balancing act of high-profile working parents within the current administration's stated family-friendly framework.
