You've his number: Leavitt makes joke at Trump's expense before her maternity leave

The remark was seen as a playful nod to Donald Trump's habit of communicating directly and frequently, often bypassing traditional channels and keeping the media constantly engaged.

In Short

• Trump known for direct communication, even without press secretary present
• Leavitt expecting second child with husband Nicholas Riccio, due in May
• Leavitt says Trump’s late-night calls make demanding role “crazy”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is going viral online after delivering a light-hearted jab at her boss – US President Donald Trump – just days before stepping away on maternity leave. Speaking ahead of the birth of her second child, expected in May, Leavitt joked that reporters would hardly feel her absence because they already have direct access to the president, saying they would not hear any less from the Republican leader.

"I know all of you have the President’s phone number personally, so I have no doubt that you won’t have a shortage of statements and news from this building while I’m gone," Leavitt said during an interview with Fox News, implying that Trump will continue boldly addressing the press even without a press secretary, The Mirror reported.

The remark and the part of the interview where she made it were widely interpreted as a playful acknowledgement of Trump’s well-known tendency to communicate directly and frequently.

As the public face of the White House press operation, Leavitt has been responsible for fielding questions, shaping messaging, and acting as a bridge between the administration and the media — a role she will temporarily step away from as she prepares for her growing family.

At 28, Leavitt is the youngest to serve as White House Press Secretary.

She is expecting her second child with her husband, Nicholas Riccio (60), with whom she already shares a son, Nikko. Her upcoming maternity leave marks a brief pause in a fast-paced political career that has kept her in the spotlight.

During a separate appearance on America Reports, Leavitt confirmed she would soon be stepping back from public duties.

When host John Roberts congratulated her and expressed anticipation of her return, she responded succinctly: "I'll be back soon".

Her departure comes amid ongoing speculation about staff turnover within the Trump administration, though there has been no official indication that her leave is anything other than temporary.

HER ROLE, CHALLENGES UNDER TRUMP

Beyond the humor, Leavitt has also been candid about the pressures of working under Trump. Speaking at an event hosted by Turning Point USA, she revealed that one of the most challenging aspects of her role is the president’s unpredictable schedule.

"The fact that my boss is up all night and probably going to call at any hour," she said, describing what keeps her on edge.

Reflecting on his energy levels, she added, "Very little. Like, maybe four hours a night. It's crazy. I'm a third his age, and I can't keep up. I tell him that all the time".

Leavitt elaborated that the demands of the job often disrupt her own sleep, noting, "I think probably what keeps me up at night is I have a tendency not to sleep as well in this job because there's just so much going on all the time, breaking news".

Her comments highlight the relentless nature of serving in a senior communications role at the White House, where rapid developments and constant media scrutiny are the norm.

Despite the challenges, Leavitt has maintained a firm public stance in defending the administration’s policies and messaging, frequently pushing back against media narratives she disagrees with.

As she prepares to step away briefly for maternity leave, her viral quip underscores both her familiarity with the president’s communication style and her own ability to navigate the spotlight with humour.

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