Karoline Leavitt’s maternity leave has put another White House press aide under the lights, and some insiders are already questioning whether she is ready for the glare.
Anna Kelly, the White House principal deputy press secretary, is expected to take on more public-facing work while Leavitt, 28, steps away to welcome her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio. Kelly, 29, has already appeared on Trump-friendly outlets including Fox News, Real America’s Voice, and One America News.
Still, not everyone around the administration sounds convinced she can fully match Leavitt’s presence behind the podium.
Anna Kelly Faces A Tough Comparison To Karoline Leavitt
Leavitt briefly delayed her maternity leave this week, returning after only three days to deliver a press briefing following a shooting incident connected to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
Now that she is officially back on leave, Kelly is one of several officials expected to help cover the role. That has brought new attention to her background, her TV appearances, and her ability to handle one of the most visible jobs in Washington.
Kelly has followed Leavitt’s lead in fiercely defending President Donald Trump and taking aim at hostile coverage. She has promoted the administration’s wins and pushed back against what she called the “fake news” narrative.
But one former RNC official told the Daily Mail that Kelly still has room to grow.
“[Kelly] needs more polish despite being a former pageant contestant,” the official said.
Another administration official was more measured, saying, “Good on TV, but I wouldn’t say she could completely fill Karoline’s shoes.”
From Pageant Queen To White House Deputy
Kelly’s path to the White House did not start on cable news. She studied political science at Auburn University, graduating in 2017, before earning a master’s in political management from George Washington University. During that period, she competed in the 2019 Miss State Fair of Virginia pageant and won.
Her platform focused on youth political engagement. At the time, Kelly said younger Americans had more influence than they realized. “My generation stands in an incredible position of power,” she said, adding that she grew up in a “politically outspoken” family.
She also told the Fairfax Times, “In today’s polarized political climate, it is our job to step up to the plate and work to ensure the government we receive is a good one.”
Kelly said her goal as Miss State Fair of Virginia was to show young people that “we do have a voice and it’s about time we used it.”
White House Plans No Single Replacement
Kelly has also spoken publicly about working under Leavitt. In an interview with ‘The Clay Travis & Buck Saxton Show,’ she described her White House role as “exciting” and said the criticism does not bother her. “They can try to push their fake news narrative,” Kelly said. “But guess what? The approval is on our side…this is what the American people want.” She added, “It is so exciting and, again, we’re winning every single day. We’re having so much fun.”
Leavitt is expected to be away for at least a couple of weeks, though the White House has said her exact return date is “to be determined.”
For now, Kelly will not be the sole substitute. The White House has reportedly chosen not to name one formal replacement. Instead, several officials may rotate through the duties, including Vice President JD Vance, Cabinet members, and possibly Trump himself. Communications Director Steven Cheung is expected to manage the broader communications operation, with help from Leavitt’s team.
That means Kelly may not have to carry the entire briefing-room burden. Still, the attention is already on her. And in Trump’s White House, being “good on TV” may only be the starting point.
