White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced she is expecting a baby girl, describing the news as “the greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for,” as the Trump administration continues to spotlight what supporters see as a renewed emphasis on family values inside the West Wing.
Leavitt, 28, shared the announcement Friday in an Instagram post, revealing that she and her husband, real estate developer Nick Riccio, 59, are expecting their second child in May 2026. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Niko, in July 2024.
“My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother,” Leavitt wrote. “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.”
A Personal Milestone in the West Wing
The announcement quickly drew attention beyond its personal significance. Leavitt also used the post to thank President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, crediting them with fostering what she described as a supportive, pro-family environment at the White House.
Supporters of the administration viewed her remarks as a living example of a long-standing conservative argument: that government institutions should actively encourage family formation and support working parents rather than treating parenthood as a professional obstacle.
Fox News Digital confirmed the pregnancy and reported that Leavitt said she is “extremely grateful” for the backing she has received from senior leadership. She added that many of her colleagues in the West Wing are also raising young children and that there is a strong sense of mutual support among staff members balancing family life with demanding roles.
Remaining on the Job
According to a senior White House official, Leavitt will remain in her position as press secretary throughout her pregnancy. The decision has been highlighted by allies as evidence that motherhood and high-level leadership are not mutually exclusive – a message conservatives say is often overlooked in modern political discourse.
Leavitt is widely believed to be the first pregnant White House press secretary in U.S. history, a distinction supporters say reflects a broader generational shift in leadership at the executive level.
Symbol of a Broader Cultural Debate
For conservatives, Leavitt’s announcement has taken on symbolic weight, underscoring what they describe as a clear contrast between the Trump administration’s embrace of faith, family, and motherhood and what they argue is a more skeptical or hostile posture toward traditional values on the political left.
While critics caution against politicizing personal family decisions, allies argue that Leavitt’s experience demonstrates how institutional culture can either support or discourage working parents – particularly mothers – at the highest levels of government.
As Leavitt prepares to welcome her second child, her announcement has become more than a personal celebration. For supporters, it represents a statement about leadership, priorities, and the evolving image of working parenthood inside the White House.
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