Karoline Leavitt Ditches Maternity Leave to Push Trump’s MAGA Rally Amid Artist Exodus

Karoline Leavitt abandoned her maternity leave to promote President Donald Trump’s MAGA festival, a move that raises eyebrows amid a mass artist withdrawal.

On June 8, the 28-year-old White House Press Secretary, fresh off the birth of her second child, jumped back into action to push Trump’s Great American State Fair. This event has morphed into a rally after a slew of performers pulled out.

Trump’s abrupt announcement on June 5 about a new lineup for the “greatest rally ever” prompted Leavitt to reshare Freedom 250’s promotional message, which detailed the gathering.

Freedom 250, the organization behind various celebrations for America’s 250th birthday this July 4th, stated, “Here’s a preview of what the America Is Back Kick-Off Celebration will look like. Join President Donald J. Trump on the National Mall as he launches the Great American State Fair and officially begins a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday.”

The post pinpointed the event location — the National Mall, Washington, D.C. — and set the date for June 24, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET. The call to action concluded with, “RSVP today.”

Critics flooded the comments section on X, with one user mocking, “‘America is back, featuring Donald J Trump celebration?’ What razzle-dazzle moron came up with that idea? This will be 250 years of our independence! Don’t spoil the party.”

Another commenter vented, “No one will be there. No one supports the corrupt administration,” while a third added, “Great we get to listen to his lie for hours. He’s pathetic.” A fourth user expressed disdain, “This will be sadder than last year’s birthday parade bomb.”

One sarcastic remark read, “Join us, we’ll spend 2 hours complaining about Joe Biden, how the 2020 election was stolen, how I had more people here than Obama, how Spencer Pratt won in L.A., and the odds of you running into a transgender person in DC and what to do. No thanks.”

Despite the backlash, some supporters rallied behind the event. One declared, “THIS WILL ABSOLUTELY BE EPIC. 250TH.” Another chimed in, “An amazing anniversary! So glad we have a real American President at the helm. We live in the best times in the best nation. God bless America.” A third enthusiastically stated, “It looks like it will be spectacular.”

Leavitt has not disclosed when she will return from maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter on May 1, 2026. Federal workers typically receive up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, but Leavitt has kept her plans under wraps.

In July 2024, she rejoined Trump’s campaign just four days after delivering her son, Nikko, following an assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. “I looked at my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work,’” Leavitt recounted in an interview.

While Leavitt remains on leave, Trump has faced significant hurdles organizing his Great American State Fair. On June 5, he revealed an updated performer lineup for what has now been rebranded as a rally, announcing he would headline the event himself.

“On Wednesday, June 24th, at 7 P.M., in magnificent Washington, D.C., now totally beautified, and one of the Safest Cities anywhere in the World, and in celebration of our Country’s 250 Year History, we will be bringing you, LIVE, the Greatest Rally, EVER!” he proclaimed on Truth Social.

Trump emphasized that this rally would be special at every level: “A Rally to end all Rallies! We don’t want singers with no talent but big fees to put you to sleep; we’ve told them all to stay home. All we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played.”

He unveiled the performer lineup featuring Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio among others. Greenwood will introduce Trump with “GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.” while Macchio will perform classics like “Nessun Dorma” and “Hallelujah.”

The announcement followed the withdrawal of six acts — Morris Day and The Time, Young MC, C+C Music Factory, The Commodores, Martina McBride, and Bret Michaels — from The Great American State Fair due to concerns over its perceived political nature.

Most artists cited worries about participating in what they viewed as a politically charged event or claimed they were unaware they had been booked.