Additional Coverage:
Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, may be making a quicker return to her position than expected, according to comments from Senator Marco Rubio.
Leavitt, 28, recently stepped away from her duties to take maternity leave after welcoming her second child, a daughter named Viviana. She had briefly resumed her role following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting earlier this month.
How long she plans to remain on leave this time is uncertain. Notably, after the birth of her first child in early 2025, she returned to work within days to assist during Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Currently, Leavitt is not accompanying Trump or the U.S. delegation on the trip to China. In her absence, members of the MAGA inner circle have rotated responsibilities for holding press briefings. Rubio, who recently stepped in to handle some press duties, spoke about the experience during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Air Force One en route to China.
Hannity remarked on Rubio’s multiple roles, joking about his stint as White House Press Secretary. Rubio responded with a laugh, calling Leavitt “irreplaceable” and describing his time in the role as a one-time favor largely focused on foreign policy. “We can’t wait until Karoline gets back,” he added, sending best wishes to Leavitt and her family.
Reactions from Fox News viewers were mixed on social media. Some praised Leavitt’s skills, while others suggested that Rubio’s brief tenure highlighted how demanding the press secretary job truly is. A few critics questioned Rubio’s consistency and motivations, with one user commenting on his perceived opportunism, and another quipping that he could handle the job as long as he didn’t have to deal with pregnancy.
As Leavitt recovers and considers her return, the White House press operations remain in a temporary shuffle, with many eager to see her back at the podium.