Karoline Leavitt rates Marco Rubio and JD Vance after duo takes over White House briefings

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is finally speaking out after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance stepped in to handle press briefings during her maternity leave.

The 28-year-old, who welcomed her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio on May 1, took a break from her White House duties on April 27 after delaying her leave following the attempted assassination at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner.

While Leavitt has been away enjoying time with her newborn daughter Viviana, some of the Trump administration’s biggest names have rotated into the briefing room to temporarily fill her spot.

Karoline Leavitt praises Marco Rubio and JD Vance after White House briefings

Rubio was among the first administration officials to take over the podium during Leavitt’s absence.

During his May 5 appearance, the Secretary of State drew attention for joking with reporters and switching between English and Spanish during the briefing.

JD Vance later followed with his own appearance at the podium earlier this week, bringing a lighter tone while also poking fun at Leavitt herself.

The vice president joked that he would gladly cover for Leavitt now if she agreed to return the favor during his own paternity leave later this year.

Vance and wife Usha are currently expecting their fourth child, another baby boy, after announcing the pregnancy in January.

After watching both men take their turns behind the podium, Leavitt reacted on social media with a short but supportive message.

“Best team ever! Thankful,” she wrote on Instagram while resharing clips and photos from the briefings.

Leavitt has not confirmed the exact date she plans to return to the White House, though she told followers it would happen “very soon.”

Karoline Leavitt says family is enjoying ‘blissful newborn bubble’

For now, Leavitt appears fully focused on spending time with her growing family.

“We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble,” she wrote in another Instagram update.

The White House press secretary made history as the first spokesperson in the role to become pregnant while serving in office.

At the same time, Usha Vance is also making history as the first modern second lady to be pregnant while in the role.

The overlapping pregnancies inside the Trump administration have unexpectedly created a more personal and family-centered moment within an otherwise intense political environment.

Even while away from the podium, Leavitt has remained a visible figure online, frequently sharing updates from home while supporters continue asking when she plans to officially return.

Unlike previous administrations that typically appointed a temporary replacement during maternity leave, the Trump administration instead opted for a rotating lineup of high-profile officials to handle the daily press duties.

Marco Rubio and JD Vance emerge as key MAGA voices during Leavitt’s absence

The stand-in appearances have also sparked fresh conversation about the growing influence of Rubio and Vance inside Trump’s political circle.

Both men are increasingly viewed as central MAGA figures beyond Trump himself, especially as speculation quietly grows about the future of the Republican Party after Trump’s second term.

According to reports, insiders and political observers have been closely watching how Rubio and Vance perform publicly, particularly in highly visible settings like White House press briefings.

Trump himself has even publicly acknowledged the friendly rivalry between the two.

During a Rose Garden appearance earlier this year, the president reportedly joked about whether supporters preferred Rubio or Vance more, teasing them as a possible “dream team” ticket for 2028.