White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday that she and her husband are expecting a second child, due in May.
“The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for — a baby girl coming in May 2026,” Leavitt, 28, wrote in an Instagram caption Friday alongside photos of herself and an ultrasound next to 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. 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,” the press secretary added.
Leavitt’s first child with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, was born in July 2024, months before Donald Trump was re-elected as president in November. The child is named after his father but nicknamed Niko.
Leavitt and her husband, who is 60, met in 2022 when she ran unsuccessfully for Congress in New Hampshire.
“He’s incredible. He is my greatest supporter. He’s my best friend. He’s my rock,” Leavitt told Megyn Kelly on her podcast earlier this year.
“He’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career, and he’s the father of my child, of course,” Leavitt added in the February podcast episode. “And he’s the best dad I could ever ask for and so supportive especially during this very chaotic period of life.”
The now-White House press secretary served as national press secretary for Trump’s campaign in 2024. Just days after he was elected, the president named Leavitt as his White House press secretary. She has served in the role since Trump was inaugurated in January.
In her post Friday, Leavitt thanked Trump administration officials for supporting her as a parent, writing, “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!”
A spokesperson for the White House did not immediately respond to NBC News’ questions about whether Leavitt plans to take maternity leave after the birth of her daughter and whether anyone would fill in for her if she does.

