Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, announced Thursday that she has welcomed her second child, becoming the first person to give birth while holding the position. Her daughter, Viviana, arrived on May 1st.
Leavitt shared the news on Instagram alongside a photo of herself with her newborn. "On May 1st, Viviana aka 'Vivi' joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love," she wrote, describing her daughter as "perfect and healthy." She added that her son, Nicholas, is "adjusting to life with his new baby sister" and that the family is "enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble."
The 28-year-old delivered her first child, Nicholas, during the 2024 presidential campaign. Her final press briefing before maternity leave took place last week on April 27, just two days after an alleged assassination attempt involving President Donald Trump and other officials outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner. At the end of that briefing, Leavitt joked, "I hope and pray that this is the last time I speak to you for some time until after my maternity leave."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in for Leavitt at the White House briefing on Tuesday. Leavitt is the youngest White House press secretary in American history and one of only eight women to hold the position.
An unusual footnote connects Leavitt's daughter's birth to the evening of the correspondents' dinner. Oz Pearlman, a mentalist scheduled to perform at the event, told ABC News' Jonathan Karl after the shooting that he had predicted the baby's name just before the incident occurred outside the ballroom. "I believe the name was Vivian," Pearlman said.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance are expecting their fourth child in July.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "It's a milestone moment for the White House press office, though the timing sure raised some eyebrows given everything happening that week."
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