Karoline Leavitt Says Juggling the White House and Motherhood Was 'The Hardest Thing' She’s Ever Done

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary, told Sean Hannity she stepped away from her White House role to prioritize her young family, calling the combination of high‑pressure politics and early motherhood the toughest challenge she has faced.

Leavitt, 28, recounted the intense strain of balancing demanding campaign and White House duties with caring for two small children she shares with her husband, real‑estate developer Nicholas Riccio, 60. She announced her departure from the White House in August, saying she needed to be home during her children’s formative years.

Returning to Work Days After Giving Birth

Leavitt said her struggle began soon after the birth of her first child, Niko, in July 2024. She recalled bringing Niko home from the hospital and watching live coverage of an assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania that same day. Within days she returned to work for the campaign as national press secretary.

Karoline Leavitt in the White House press briefing room.Alex Wong/Getty Images

"As a three‑day postpartum woman, that was very traumatic, and I had a choice to make," Leavitt told Hannity. "I had producers calling, 'Can you come on TV and talk about this?' And I felt as though I owed it to the president to do that."

The Toll of Long Hours

Leavitt described the emotional cost of long hours and frequent absences on family life. She said she would leave before dawn and that her then‑2‑year‑old son would cling to her at the door. "We would have to hide him sometimes so that I wouldn't have to break his heart again," she said, describing drives to the White House filled with doubt about whether she could continue.

After the birth of her daughter, Viviana, in May, Leavitt said she realized she could not give the press secretary role the "24/7" commitment she believed it required. "The president deserves someone in that job who can give it their all 24/7," she said.

Leavitt praised President Trump for his response to her decision, saying he "couldn't have been kinder." She described her resignation as the hardest choice she’s made because she loved the job, the team and the president’s mission, but added, "As he jokes, I do love my kids more," and that they need her at home during these early years.

Context: Leavitt’s account highlights the personal challenges faced by caregivers in high‑profile political roles and contributes to ongoing conversations about work‑life balance for working parents in demanding careers.