White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said her karoline leavitt husband Nicholas Riccio welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Viviana, on May 1. She has been away from the White House on maternity leave since April, and other administration officials have been filling in at briefings.
Leavitt wrote on Instagram that “On May 1st, Viviana aka 'Vivi' joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love,” adding that the baby is “perfect and healthy.” She also said her older child is adjusting to life with his new sister.
Viviana Joins The Riccio Family
The announcement gives the first clear public update on Leavitt’s family since she left her post for maternity leave in April. Viviana is Leavitt’s second child with Nicholas Riccio, and her son Nicholas, also called Niko, will be two years old in July.
Leavitt’s post also described the family as being in “our blissful newborn bubble.” That leaves the White House with a familiar staffing question: while she is away, the press secretary role still has to be covered at the podium.
Marco Rubio Stood In
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood in to hold a White House briefing earlier this week, showing how the administration has been handling the gap while Leavitt is on leave. Leavitt briefly returned to update the press after the April 24 shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Leavitt has served as press secretary since President Donald Trump returned to office last year. The arrangement around her leave remains open-ended, and the practical issue for the White House is who briefs the press until she is back at the podium.
