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White House pregnancy announcement
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, announced on social media in late December 2025 that she and her husband Nicholas Riccio are expecting their second child, a daughter due in May 2026.
“White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced she is expecting her second child, a baby girl due in May 2026. Leavitt, 28... thanked President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for support and called the administration “pro-family.” Tulsi Gabbard congratulated her.”
In an Instagram post Leavitt described the pregnancy as "the greatest Christmas gift," thanked President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for fostering a "pro-family" environment, and said she and Riccio are "thrilled" and look forward to their son becoming a big brother.
Multiple outlets noted the announcement included photos of her baby bump and an ultrasound.
Leavitt's career milestones
The announcement underscored Leavitt's status as the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary and, according to multiple outlets, the first to hold the post while visibly pregnant.
Reports trace her rapid rise from a 2022 congressional campaign in New Hampshire to national campaign press roles and then to the West Wing after the 2024 election.
Outlets say Leavitt is 28 (she was appointed at 27) and note her prior role as national press secretary for Trump's 2024 campaign.
Leavitt's relationship timeline
Media coverage of Leavitt's personal life — notably her marriage to Nicholas Riccio and their age difference — appears across many outlets with varying tones.
“White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, announced on Instagram Dec. 26 that she is pregnant with her and husband Nicholas Riccio’s second child — a girl due in May 2026... Leavitt and Riccio, 60, confirmed their engagement in December 2023 and welcomed a son, Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio, in July 2024; Leavitt returned to work on Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign days after giving birth.”
Most reports note Riccio's profile as a real-estate developer and that the couple met in 2022.
They became engaged in late 2023.
Their son, Nicholas Robert "Niko" Riccio, was born in July 2024.
The pair were married in January 2025.
Several outlets highlight a reported 32-year age gap and say Leavitt has publicly discussed and defended the relationship.
Leavitt's White House pregnancy
Several outlets report on how the White House expects Leavitt to balance her duties with pregnancy.
A senior White House official, reported by Fox News Digital and echoed widely, said Leavitt plans to remain press secretary during the pregnancy, which would make her the first person in the role to be visibly pregnant while serving.
At the same time, mainstream outlets such as NBC noted the White House had not formally answered questions about maternity leave or detailed plans for covering her duties, leaving some uncertainty about logistics.
Other outlets frame Leavitt's visible pregnancy as a precedent that challenges traditional expectations for women in power.
Coverage of announcement
Reaction to the announcement varies across outlets.
“Her Instagram post, which said she was “overflowing with gratitude,” drew nearly half a million congratulatory messages in under 10 hours.”
Some outlets focus on congratulatory responses and social-media metrics, while others highlight background disputes and critiques involving Leavitt's family.
International Business Times UK and news.meaww point to massive online engagement after her post.
People and The Daily Beast reference a separate family controversy involving Bruna Caroline Ferreira and an ICE arrest, and note that Leavitt has not publicly commented.
Tabloid coverage foregrounds celebratory imagery such as bump photos, sonograms, and a 'big brother' T-shirt.
Other outlets emphasize the political and cultural significance of a pregnant press secretary.