White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Friday that she will step away from her duties temporarily as she prepares to give birth to her second child, a daughter. Speaking informally with reporters outside the White House, Leavitt indicated that this would likely be her final press interaction for some time, adding that her team would continue handling communications in her absence.
“There will be no shortage of updates,” she told journalists, expressing confidence in her colleagues and joking that members of the press already have direct access to the president.
Leavitt, who married Nicholas Riccio in January 2025 ahead of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, is already a mother to a son, Niko, born in 2024.
Her maternity leave comes amid what some observers have described as a “baby boom” among women connected to the administration. Among those expecting are Second Lady Usha Vance and Katie Miller, the wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair and his wife Sam were also expecting a child earlier this year.
In a previous interview with Vanity Fair, Leavitt emphasized that performance, not gender, defines success within the administration. “The president doesn’t care if you’re a man or a woman—he just wants you to be good at your job,” she said.
However, that perspective contrasts with views expressed by conservative activist Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk. Speaking at a 2024 leadership summit, she encouraged women to prioritize family life over professional ambitions, describing motherhood as their primary role.
Vice President JD Vance has also been vocal about declining birth rates in the United States, framing them as a national concern. At a March for Life rally last year, he called for larger families and has previously criticized political opponents as “anti-family.” His wife, Usha, an accomplished lawyer educated at Yale and Cambridge, is expecting the couple’s fourth child later this year.
The administration’s emphasis on traditional family values has drawn scrutiny alongside other controversies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced allegations of bias after reportedly blocking promotions of several Army officers, including women and Black candidates. Critics have questioned whether these decisions reflect a broader push against diversity initiatives, which Hegseth has publicly criticized as “woke.”
Leavitt has defended Hegseth, stating that he is working to restore merit-based advancement within the military.
At the same time, President Trump has continued to draw criticism for remarks directed at female journalists. In response to a report questioning his health, he dismissed one of the female reporters involved with a personal insult, while making no mention of her male co-author. In other instances, he has publicly criticized female reporters’ demeanor, including remarks about their appearance and expressions.
As Leavitt prepares for maternity leave, the intersection of family life, gender roles, and political messaging within the administration remains a subject of ongoing debate.
(With inputs from ANI)