At just 28 years old, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is celebrating a major family milestone after welcoming her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio, 60.
Leavitt announced on Instagram that she gave birth to a baby girl named Viviana, affectionately called “Vivi,” on May 1.
“On May 1st, Viviana aka ‘Vivi’ joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love. 
She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble.
Thank you to everyone who reached out with prayers during my pregnancy – I truly felt them throughout the entire experience. God is Good.
”
The White House spokeswoman shared the message alongside photos of herself holding the newborn in a pink-themed nursery. The couple’s son, Niko, who was born in July 2024, is now officially a big brother.
White House prepares for Karoline Leavitt’s absence
Following the announcement, attention quickly shifted to how the White House plans to handle press briefings during Leavitt’s maternity leave.
According to Politico, the administration will not appoint one official replacement while Leavitt remains away from the podium. Instead, several senior figures are expected to rotate through media duties in what has been described as a “tag-team” approach.
Vice President JD Vance, Cabinet officials and potentially President Donald Trump himself could all participate in future briefings while Leavitt spends time at home with her newborn daughter.
Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, along with assistant press secretaries Taylor Rogers and Liz Huston, are also expected to help manage communications during the temporary transition.
Leavitt previously praised White House support
Leavitt first revealed her pregnancy in December, calling the baby “the greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for.”
At the time, she publicly thanked President Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for fostering what she described as a “pro-family environment in the White House.”
The youngest press secretary in White House history has also spoken publicly about balancing family life with one of the administration’s most demanding roles.
Her marriage to Riccio, a New Hampshire real estate developer, has frequently drawn public attention because of the couple’s 31-year age difference. Earlier this year, Leavitt described their relationship during an interview with Megyn Kelly as “a very atypical love story.”
The couple first met during Leavitt’s 2022 congressional campaign in New Hampshire before later beginning a relationship she has repeatedly described as deeply supportive.
