A representative for Trump takes temporary leave to start a family

Karoline Leavitt, the combative White House spokeswoman, announced on Friday that she will be taking maternity leave in anticipation of the birth of her second child, but did not disclose who will fill in for her during her absence.

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At a White House gathering with reporters, Leavitt revealed that this would likely be her last press conference for a while, jokingly remarking that she was "about ready to have a baby any minute" and assuring the press corps that they would be in good hands with her team.

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Leavitt also quipped that the reporters had the president's phone number, implying they could reach out to him directly, and expressed confidence that her team would handle press conferences in her stead, although she would return to her duties soon.

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The White House has not officially named a replacement for Leavitt, but senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, may step in to hold press conferences during her leave, according to reports.

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The duration of Leavitt's maternity leave remains unclear, as the White House has not provided any details on how long she will be away from her post.

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At 28, Leavitt is the youngest person to have been appointed to the high-profile position, and she is already a mother to a boy born in July 2024, after which she quickly returned to work on President Donald Trump's campaign.

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Leavitt's swift return to work was prompted by the assassination attempt against the Republican candidate on July 13, 2024, just days after she gave birth to her first child.

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Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer, and has gained a reputation for her skill in responding to journalists' questions with put-downs as part of the president's anti-media strategy.

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Despite her efforts to boost the president's image, Leavitt has been unable to prevent President Trump's approval ratings from declining across all topics.