Lara Trump has strongly indicated that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will take only a brief period of maternity leave following the announcement of her second pregnancy. The suggestion came amid swirling rumours that Leavitt, 28, might step down from her pivotal role.
Dismissing Speculation and Praising Dedication
Speaking to Fox & Friends host Lisa Boothe, Lara Trump directly addressed the speculation about a successor. 'I've seen some stories out there, Lisa, people saying, "Who's next in line?" Nobody's next in line,' she stated emphatically. 'It's Karoline, she can do everything.'
Lara Trump, who is married to Donald Trump's son Eric, pointed to Leavitt's previous work ethic as evidence. She highlighted that Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 60, welcomed their first child, a son named Niko, in July 2024 during the heat of the former president's third campaign.
'She did this, by the way, during the Trump campaign,' Lara Trump noted. 'She was pregnant, delivered her son Niko, and then was back to work within a couple of days - on television, fighting to ensure President Trump got elected. But she's amazing.'
A 'Pro-Family' White House Environment
Lara Trump confidently asserted that the Trump administration fosters a supportive, 'pro-family' environment that enables staff to balance their careers with raising children. She even predicted a formidable performance from Leavitt in the latter stages of her pregnancy.
'We’re all going to be watching as Karoline Leavitt absolutely schools the fake news media while she’s probably eight and nine months pregnant,' she said.
Leavitt herself announced her pregnancy on Friday, the day after Christmas, sharing the news on Instagram. 'The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for - a baby girl coming in May 2026,' she wrote. The press secretary, the youngest in US history, expressed her and her husband's thrill at growing their family.
In her statement, Leavitt echoed Lara Trump's sentiments, thanking the White House, Donald Trump, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for 'fostering a pro-family environment.'
A History of Rapid Return and Personal Life
A senior White House official confirmed Leavitt will remain in her post, securing her place as the first pregnant White House press secretary in American history. Leavitt has previously stated her intention to serve a full four-year term, describing the role as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'
Her commitment was demonstrated after the birth of her first child. Leavitt told The Conservateur in 2024 that she returned to the campaign trail just four days after giving birth. A pivotal moment came when she watched the attempt on Donald Trump's life at a Pennsylvania rally while holding her three-day-old son.
'I looked at my husband and said, "Looks like I’m going back to work,"' she recalled.
Leavitt's personal life, including the 32-year age gap with her real estate developer husband, has attracted attention since she became the public face of the White House. She has described their meeting during her 2022 congressional run in New Hampshire as a 'very atypical love story.'
The couple's family announcement was accompanied by heartfelt photos, including one of Riccio kissing their one-year-old son Niko and another of the toddler holding a teddy bear with an 'I'm the big brother' shirt.
