JD Vance started the May 19 White House briefing with some humor. He filled in for press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who’s currently on maternity leave. Vance joked that Leavitt would be acting vice president when he goes on paternity leave after Usha Vance gives birth in July.

He said, “It’s cool to be here. I’m going to give a shoutout, of course, to the person I am replacing today, Karoline Leavitt, who hopefully is at home enjoying some time with her beautiful kids.” Furthermore, he added, “I told Karoline I would stand in for her today for the White House press briefing on the condition that when Usha has our baby in July, she would be vice president for a couple of weeks.”

A loud laughter filled the room after Vance’s joke. Vance and his wife announced back in January that they are having their fourth child, a baby boy. They have three children, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirbel, and the fourth child is due in July.

Usha’s fourth pregnancy has been different from the other three as she is serving as the second lady. So she has been dressing up in more put-together outfits instead of wearing sweatpants at home.

Netizens were quick to chime in with their opinions as the joke went viral. One user praised Vance’s humor, “His wit is his superpower.” Another one joked, “Marco Rubio filled in for her. She’s gonna have an insane week when she gets back.”

One YouTube user praised Leavitt and wrote, “No problem… I have no doubt Karoline can get more accomplished in a couple of weeks than Kamala did in four years.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Karoline Leavitt Riccio (@karolineleavitt) 

Leavitt welcomed her baby girl on May 1, announcing it with a social media post and a photo with her baby. The social media post soon turned chaotic when backlash started in her comment section. Even the Iranian Embassy reposted her birth announcement with a grim message.

She went on maternity leave on April 27 and was very close to giving birth when she took a pause from her role. Her leave was delayed after the WHCD shooting.

Leavitt may soon be back to work, as previously she returned to work just a few days after giving birth to her first child in July 2024. She has already made history by serving as the press secretary while being pregnant.