Karoline Leavitt has been inundated with praise online as she canceled her maternity leave to return to work on Monday at 39 weeks pregnant following the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting.
The White House Press Secretary, 28, is currently expecting her second baby with husband Nicholas Riccio and announced on Friday that she was stepping away from her duties to prepare for the birth.
But just three days later, Leavitt revealed that she is back to work as she took to X, formerly Twitter, to announce on Monday morning that she would be holding a press briefing at 1pm following the harrowing events at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
Leavitt Praised For Returning to Work
Gunfire erupted at the event on Saturday evening in Washington, DC, which saw President Donald Trump in attendance in person for the first time while in office.
The shooter, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, had breached the security checkpoint at the event before he was swiftly taken down by law enforcement.
Fans were quick to commend Leavitt for returning to work despite her expecting her baby any day now.
'I will hold a Press Briefing at 1PM ET today,' Leavitt posted on Monday.
Political advisor Katie Miller reposted her message, adding, 'She's back from maternity leave after a whole weekend! 39 weeks pregnant.'
Fans Hail Her as a 'Warrior' For Working at 39 Weeks Pregnant
'You're both warriors,' replied one fan. Another chimed in: 'Somehow this doesn't surprise me. She seems like she's the type who would be having press briefings while in labor if she could.'
'NH girls are built different. Love her,' someone else added, referring to the fact that Leavitt hails from New Hampshire.
'I cannot believe that she's still working at 39 weeks. I swear she will be at the podium until her water breaks,' read a fourth post.
A fifth said: 'She's a BOSS. While I love her fight, I hope she will take the time she needs for that precious baby.'
'One tough beautiful American lady warrior indeed. Outstanding woman,' gushed a different user.
'Superwoman,' someone else said of Leavitt.
Leavitt Says 'I'm About Ready to Have a Baby Any Minute'
On Friday, Leavitt told reporters during a press briefing: 'This will likely be my last gaggle for some time. As you can see.'
'I'm about ready to have a baby any minute, so I will see you guys very soon. I know you'll be in very good hands with my team here at the White House.'
Leavitt and her husband announced that they were expecting their second child, a girl, in December.
They already share son Nicholas Robert 'Niko' Riccio, who was born in July 2024.
No one person has been tasked with taking over for Leavitt while she is on maternity leave. Instead, a rotating team of administration officials will handle press briefings.
A Secret Service agent was shot during the incident on Saturday, but is expected to recover.
Trump explained afterwards that the agent 'was shot from a very close distance with a very powerful gun' but that his bulletproof vest 'did the job.'
Leavitt's Swipe at Conservatives Against Iran War
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt took a swipe at members of President Donald Trump's MAGA base who have criticized his military action in Iran.
'X is not real life,' Leavitt said. 'This President lives in the real world.'
Leavitt had stopped to gaggle with reporters Friday on the White House driveway when asked about Republican Party infighting.
'And with respect to MAGA, President Trump is the leader of MAGA,' she continued. 'He's the creator of the MAGA movement. And there is nothing more "America First" than taking out terrorists who have maimed and killed our own service men and women, who chant "death to America," and who pose a threat to the homeland.'
Former Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly have thus far led the Iran war opposition.