Key Figure Makes Surprise Appearance as Leavitt Begins Maternity Leave
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made an unexpected appearance in the White House briefing room this week, briefly stepping into a space typically reserved for the administration’s press secretary and drawing attention for what he described as a lighthearted moment.
According to remarks made at the podium, Rubio said he stopped by to “mess with someone” and carry out a joke, a comment that quickly fueled speculation about the target of the surprise visit.
The timing pointed to Karoline Leavitt, who is currently stepping away from her daily briefing duties as she prepares for the birth of her second child.
Leavitt, 28, had initially planned to begin maternity leave late last week, telling reporters that a recent Friday briefing would be her last “for a little while” as her due date approached.
However, she briefly returned to the podium days later following a high-profile security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where a suspect disrupted the event and prompted an immediate response from law enforcement and administration officials.
That unexpected development led Leavitt to postpone her leave and conduct an additional press briefing at the White House, underscoring the fluid nature of the role during major national events. After addressing the situation, she again stepped back, leaving open questions about who would handle day-to-day press duties in her absence.
Rubio’s appearance appears to have played off that uncertainty. While he did not formally assume the role of press secretary, his presence behind the podium added to a growing perception that he has taken on an increasingly visible and flexible role within the administration.
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In recent months, Rubio has been involved in a wide range of policy and communications efforts, at times stepping outside the traditional scope of the State Department. His briefing room visit, though informal, highlighted that broader involvement and the administration’s willingness to rely on senior officials across multiple roles when needed.
The moment also drew attention because the White House has not publicly named an interim press secretary during Leavitt’s leave. In past administrations, temporary replacements or deputies have typically handled the briefing schedule during extended absences. In this case, the approach appears more fluid, with senior officials potentially stepping in as needed.
Leavitt’s decision to delay her leave following the Correspondents’ Dinner incident reflects a pattern she has shown before. During the 2024 campaign cycle, she similarly returned to work shortly after giving birth to her first child, citing the demands of the moment. Her current situation follows a comparable path, with national events influencing the timing of her absence.
The White House has not indicated how long Leavitt will be away or whether a more formal temporary replacement will be designated. For now, the briefing schedule remains subject to change depending on events and staffing decisions.
For observers, the moment stood out less for its substance and more for what it suggested about internal dynamics: a flexible approach to staffing, a high-profile Cabinet member willing to step into unexpected settings, and a press operation adjusting in real time.
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As Leavitt prepares for the arrival of her second child, attention will likely remain on how the White House handles daily press briefings in her absence—and whether Rubio’s cameo was a one-off joke or a preview of a more unconventional approach to the role.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
