TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
December 26 , 2025
Washington, D.C. — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday that she and her husband are expecting their second child. Leavitt, 28, shared the news in a social media post, revealing that the couple’s baby girl is due in May 2026.
Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, already have a son, Nicholas Robert “Niko,” who was born in July 2024. In her announcement, she described the pregnancy as a joyful milestone for their family and expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received. “My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son grow up under Big Brother,” she wrote, adding that her “heart is overflowing with gratitude.”
Leavitt also referenced her work plans, saying she and Riccio intend to make use of the 12 workweeks of paid family leave provided under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. She said the break would allow her to “return completely refreshed and ready to denounce the evils of Socialism.”
A senior White House official confirmed that Leavitt plans to remain in her role throughout the pregnancy and subsequent leave period. Under current law, the Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid—but in some cases paid—leave for childbirth and bonding; many federal employers, including the White House, have established paid leave benefits that cover at least part of that period.
Leavitt’s announcement comes amid her continuing duties as the White House’s chief spokesperson, a role that has kept her in frequent contact with national and international media since her appointment. Her dual focus on family life and policy messaging highlights ongoing discussions in Washington about work-life balance for senior officials and the impact of federal leave policies on government professionals.
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