Karoline Leavitt shares deeply personal message as White House spokeswoman announces maternity leave

US President Donald Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Friday she will be going on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her second child.

Speaking to a group of reporters at White House, the press secretary said "On a personal matter, this will likely be my last gaggle for some time. As you can see, I´m about ready to have a baby any minute.”

"I will see you guys very soon. I know you´ll be in very good hands with my team here at the White House. And I know all of you have the president´s phone number personally," she joked.

Later, taking to Instagram, Karoline Leavitt shared her photos with a very personal message, saying “When my husband and I found out we are expecting another child, my first thought was overwhelming gratitude and joy. My second thought was ‘how the heck am I going to do this job, with a toddler, and while pregnant?’ Well, 39 weeks later and we did it.”

Meanwhile, the White House has not named an official replacement, and reportedly senior officials such as Vice President JD Vance may occasionally hold press conferences at the White House in her absence.

The White House has also not confirmed for how long she will be out.

Leavitt is already the mother of a boy born in July 2024, and at 28, is the youngest person ever appointed to the intense, high-visibility post.

In summer 2024, she returned to work on President Donald Trump´s campaign just days after the birth of her first child, a return hastened by the assassination attempt against the Republican candidate on July 13, 2024.

She is married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer.