Karoline Leavitt Steps Down from Press Briefing Duties; Her Replacement Surprises DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 21, 2026
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is anticipated to start her maternity leave in the coming days for the birth of her second child, a baby girl. Administration officials have confirmed that there will not be a single interim replacement. Instead, press briefing duties will be shared among a rotating group of senior officials.
This arrangement aims to ensure continuity in communications while Leavitt is absent. Officials have stated that Vice President JD Vance, various Cabinet members, and potentially President Donald Trump himself might take turns at the podium, depending on their availability and the topics to be discussed.
This method differs from the usual practice of appointing one person as acting press secretary. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung will continue to manage the overall press operation alongside Leavitt’s current team during her leave.
The current press team includes several senior staff members responsible for daily messaging, media coordination, and outreach. No fixed schedule for briefings has been announced, and assignments are expected to be made based on expertise in the subject matter and schedules.
Leavitt joined the administration at the beginning of the second Trump term and has been a notable figure in the White House communications effort. Officials have not given a specific date for her return after maternity leave.
The decision reflects a flexible structure intended to accommodate this personal event while ensuring the administration’s messaging priorities continue without interruption. The White House has not commented on how long this shared briefing model will be used.
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