Meghan McCain praises Karoline Leavitt for becoming America's first pregnant WH press secretary

Karoline Leavitt, 28, announced that she and her husband Nicholas Riccio, 60, were expecting their second child, a baby girl due in May 2026
PUBLISHED DEC 27, 2025
Meghan McCain congratulates Karoline Leavitt as she becomes the first pregnant White House press secretary in US history (Getty Images, @karolineleavitt/Instagram)
Meghan McCain congratulates Karoline Leavitt as she becomes the first pregnant White House press secretary in US history (Getty Images, @karolineleavitt/Instagram)

WASHINGTON, DC: Meghan McCain struck a personal and celebratory note while weighing in on a milestone moment at the White House.

In a post shared this week, she congratulated Karoline Leavitt on becoming the first pregnant White House press secretary in US history, calling it a powerful rebuttal to decades-old career myths.



Meghan McCain praises Karoline Leavitt for redefining career and motherhood

McCain, a longtime political commentator and daughter of late Sen John McCain, shared her thoughts in a congratulatory message that quickly gained traction online. Reflecting on her own experiences, McCain wrote that she spent much of her twenties and thirties being told by various people that having children would “screw up” her career.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 30: Meghan McCain attends the 2022 White House Correspondents' Association Di
Meghan McCain attends the 2022 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner (Getty Images)

Calling the moment “very, very, very cool,” McCain applauded Leavitt for shattering that narrative on one of the most visible stages in American politics. She concluded her post with a simple message: “Congratulations @karolineleavitt.”

The post resonated with many women who saw Leavitt’s pregnancy as a tangible example of changing workplace norms, particularly in high-pressure political roles traditionally dominated by men.

Karoline Leavitt announces pregnancy with second child and historic milestone

Leavitt, 28, recently revealed that she is expecting her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio, 60. The White House press secretary shared the news with her Instagram followers in a festive post, announcing that the couple is expecting a baby girl.

“The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for - a baby girl coming in May 2026,” Leavitt wrote, alongside photos featuring her growing baby bump.

She added that she and her husband are “thrilled to grow our family” and are eagerly anticipating their son Niko, 18 months, stepping into his new role as a big brother. Niko, who has already charmed onlookers with appearances at White House events including Thanksgiving, featured prominently in the announcement.

Family-first message underscores pro-family White House culture

In her announcement, Leavitt expressed deep gratitude for motherhood, writing, “My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.”

She also took time to acknowledge the support she has received professionally, thanking President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for fostering what she described as a pro-family environment within the administration.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and her son Nicholas
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and her son Nicholas 'Niko' Robert Riccio welcome Waddle, the alternate to the National Thanksgiving turkey, to the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on November 25, 2025 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

“I am also extremely grateful to President Trump and our Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for their support,” she wrote, adding that their leadership has made it possible to balance public service and family life.

Leavitt ended the post on an upbeat note, declaring, “2026 is going to be a great year and I am so excited to be a girl mom!”

Visual announcement highlights motherhood and milestone role

The announcement photos offered a warm, intimate glimpse into Leavitt’s family life. In one image, she posed in front of a Christmas tree wearing a white sweater dress while cradling her baby bump. Another showed a sonogram paired with a shirt reading “Baby sis.”

Waddle, the National Thanksgiving Turkey alternate, shares the stage with Nicholas
Waddle, the National Thanksgiving Turkey alternate, shares the stage with Nicholas 'Niko' Robert Riccio, Karoline Leavitt's son in the White House press briefing room , ahead of the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation on November 25, 2025 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Additional photos captured Riccio holding Niko as he kissed him, and a final image showed Niko seated in front of the tree clutching a teddy bear dressed in a shirt that read, “I’m Big Brother.”

White House confirms Karoline Leavitt will remain press secretary during pregnancy

Following the announcement, questions emerged about whether Leavitt would continue in her role during the pregnancy.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on June 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leavitt talked about President Donald Trump attending this week's NATO meetings in Brussels, the U.S. bombing of Iran and other topics. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on June 26, 2025 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

A senior White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital that she will remain press secretary, making history as the first pregnant woman to hold the position.

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