The BRICS TimesWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is about to welcome her baby girl. No single person will replace her. Instead, a rotating lineup of top officials will step in.
Leavitt Signs Off Before Her Baby Arrives
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held what she called her final press gaggle before heading into maternity leave. She told reporters on April 24 that she was ready to give birth any day now. Leavitt, 28, is expecting her second child, a baby girl, due in early May 2026.
“On a personal matter, this will likely be my last gaggle for some time,” Leavitt told reporters. “As you can see, I’m about ready to have a baby any minute, so I will see you guys very soon,” she added with a smile.
She also confirmed she would attend the White House Press Correspondents Association Dinner that Saturday evening in Washington D.C., making it one of her last public appearances before her leave.
No Permanent Replacement Named
The White House confirmed it will not appoint a formal replacement for Leavitt during her maternity leave. Instead, a rotating group of senior administration officials will handle daily press briefings. Communications Director Steven Cheung is expected to coordinate operations during this period.
Reports suggest the rotating team could include Cabinet members, Vice President JD Vance, and possibly even President Donald Trump himself. No fixed schedule or permanent stand-in has been officially announced.
Leavitt reassured reporters about the transition. “I know you’ll be in very good hands with my team here at the White House,” she said. “I know all of you have the president’s phone number personally,” she joked.
A Record-Breaker Taking a Well-Earned Break
Leavitt made history as the youngest White House press secretary ever. She holds the position at just 28 years old. She first took the role in January 2025 under President Trump’s second term. In December 2025, she announced her second pregnancy, becoming the first sitting White House press secretary to be visibly pregnant while in the role.
Her first child, son Niko, arrived in July 2024. After his birth, she returned to work within a week. That happened to fall on the same day as the attempted assassination of President Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. She later spoke about the experience on “The Megyn Kelly Show” in February 2025. “(The July 13, 2024, assassination attempt) kind of threw me right back to work much sooner than I would have probably expected or hoped,” she said.
How Long Will She Be Away?
The duration of Leavitt’s leave remains unclear. Federal government employees are entitled to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Whether Leavitt will take the full period is unknown. Given how quickly she returned after her first child, many expect a shorter absence this time as well.
Vance, Cabinet Members and Even Trump Could Step In
The briefing room is unlikely to stay quiet for long. Vice President JD Vance tops the list of officials expected to occasionally address the press. Cabinet members are also expected to rotate through. President Trump, who frequently speaks to reporters directly, may also take the podium on occasion.
Leavitt’s team at the White House is expected to maintain press operations seamlessly in her absence. The communications infrastructure she helped build remains intact and active under Cheung’s direction.
