Karoline Leavitt announces birth of her baby girl

Washington — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday that she has given birth to a baby girl, whom she and her husband have named Viviana.

Leavitt’s daughter was born May 1, she announced on Instagram. Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, also have a toddler-aged son named Niko. Leavitt began maternity leave shortly before her delivery. 

“On May 1st, Viviana aka ‘Vivi’ joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love,” she wrote. “She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble. Thank you to everyone who reached out with prayers during my pregnancy — I truly felt them throughout the entire experience. God is Good.”

In Leavitt’s absence from the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed reporters this week. Rubio acknowledged how chaotic the briefings can be, with multiple reporters urging him to call on them at once. 

“This is chaos, guys,” he said.