In her social-media announcement, the press secretary thanked President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for creating what she described as a “pro-family environment” inside the executive complex. “2026 is going to be a great year and I am so excited to be a girl mom!” she wrote, adding that she is “extremely grateful” for the support she has received from senior leadership while balancing her professional responsibilities with her growing family.
Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, is the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary. She stepped into the role after working in the press office during President Trump’s first term and later acting as press secretary for his 2024 re-election campaign. Her rapid rise in Republican politics included a 2022 run for Congress in New Hampshire’s First District, a bid that ultimately fell short in the general election.
Throughout her tenure at the podium, Leavitt has become the face of the administration’s daily messaging strategy, fielding questions from reporters and outlining policy positions across a range of domestic and foreign issues. The role of White House press secretary traditionally involves coordinating briefings, strategizing communications, and serving as a spokesperson for the president, duties that can demand long hours and significant travel. According to the White House, the position dates back to 1929 and has evolved into one of the most visible posts in any administration.
The upcoming birth underscores how senior staffers often balance intense public-facing roles with personal lives, especially during an election cycle. As she prepares for a new family member, Leavitt now joins a small group of press secretaries who have welcomed children while serving in the West Wing. While specific parental leave plans have not been announced, Leavitt’s public thanks to the president and chief of staff suggests the administration is working with her to accommodate the transition.
Imagem: Internet
Leavitt’s announcement arrives at the close of a year in which the Trump administration has emphasized family-oriented policies, including calls for expanded child-care access and parental leave. Although the press secretary did not link her personal news to any legislative proposals, her mention of a “pro-family environment” aligns with the broader messaging the White House has promoted throughout 2025.
Beyond her government role, Leavitt remains a prominent figure within the Republican Party’s communications apparatus. Her experience at both campaign and official levels places her at the center of the administration’s reelection messaging as the 2026 midterm cycle approaches. How the press operation will be structured during her maternity leave has not been detailed, but deputy press secretaries are expected to handle day-to-day briefings during her absence, as is customary when the principal spokesperson is temporarily away from the podium.
Leavitt and Riccio, who married before the 2024 election season, have not revealed additional details about the pregnancy beyond the May due date and the gender of their child. The family currently resides in the Washington, D.C., area, where Leavitt commutes to the White House for daily briefings and meetings with senior staff.
While the press secretary focuses on both her professional duties and her family, the announcement was met with well-wishes from colleagues across the administration. The May 2026 due date means Leavitt’s maternity leave is likely to overlap with key legislative negotiations and the beginning stages of the next national campaign cycle, highlighting the ongoing challenge many working parents face in balancing demanding careers with family life.
Crédito da imagem: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
