White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Prepares for Maternity Leave as Speculation Mounts Over Temporary Successor
Karoline Leavitt, who made history as the youngest White House press secretary, is set to step back temporarily from her high-profile role in the coming months as she prepares to welcome her second child, a daughter due in May.
Leavitt’s expected maternity leave has prompted considerable discussion inside the Trump administration and among Washington observers about who will step into the briefing room to handle daily press duties during her absence. With no formal timeline announced yet, several names from within the White House press office have surfaced as potential internal candidates to assume the responsibilities.
One of the leading contenders is Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly. Kelly joined the White House in January following senior communications positions at the Republican National Committee and on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives. In addition to her press role, she serves as a special assistant to President Donald Trump, a position that keeps her closely involved in senior-level decision-making. Her profile on social media highlights this dual responsibility.
Kelly’s background extends beyond politics. In 2019, she was crowned Miss State Fair of Virginia, a title she leveraged to advocate for greater civic engagement among young Americans. In an interview with the Fairfax Times, Kelly emphasized the importance of youth participation in government. “In today’s polarized political climate, it is our job to step up to the plate and work to ensure the government we receive is a good one,” she said. She added, “It is my goal as Miss State Fair of Virginia to show young people that, contrary to what they might believe, we do have a voice and it’s about time we used it.” A graduate of Auburn University in Alabama, Kelly has consistently promoted the idea that young Americans can and should play an active role in shaping the country’s future.
Another potential option is Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers. A graduate of Clemson University, Rogers joined the administration at the beginning of President Trump’s second term after spending nearly two years in a communications role at the Republican National Committee. She has been frequently seen working alongside Press Secretary Leavitt, including joint appearances in the Oval Office. Rogers maintains an active social media presence that documents her experiences and contributions within the administration, offering a window into the day-to-day operations of the press team.
Regional Press Secretary Liz Huston represents a third possible candidate. Huston, who graduated from Indiana University, transitioned to the administration from StateRAMP, a cybersecurity organization, where she served as a program manager following an earlier internship. Her background brings a blend of private-sector experience and policy-focused work to the communications team.
Leavitt has not yet outlined a precise schedule for when she will step back from daily briefing duties. However, she has been open about her personal journey on social media. According to reports, she recently celebrated her baby shower and shared joyful photos from the event, including one featuring her mother, Erin, and close friends.
“My beautiful friends threw me a beautiful baby shower, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Leavitt wrote. “I feel blessed to have so many strong and loving women in my life and can’t believe we will welcome our little lady into the world in a few weeks.”
In December, Leavitt announced her pregnancy on Instagram, revealing that she and her husband, businessman Nicholas Riccio, are expecting a girl. She described the news as “the greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for.” The couple already has a son, Niko, born in July 2024. “My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother,” she wrote at the time.
Leavitt used the announcement to express gratitude to the administration’s leadership. She credited President Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles with creating “a pro-family environment in the White House.” Closing on an optimistic note, she added, “2026 is going to be a great year, and I’m so excited to be a girl mom.”
The announcement drew supportive reactions from within the Trump circle. In an interview with Fox News, the president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, assured viewers that Leavitt has no intention of leaving the administration. “Karoline Leavitt is a machine, she’s going nowhere,” Lara Trump told host Lisa Booth. She highlighted Leavitt’s resilience, noting that the press secretary quickly returned to the Trump campaign after giving birth to her son last year.
As Leavitt balances her demanding role with growing family responsibilities, her temporary leave will test the depth of the White House communications bench. With experienced deputies ready to step up, the administration appears prepared to maintain continuity in its messaging and media engagement during this period of transition. Observers will be watching closely to see who ultimately takes the podium in the briefing room in the months ahead.
