On July 20, 2025, Meghan McCain, the outspoken Fox News contributor, political commentator, and daughter of the late Senator John McCain, shared a deeply personal moment with the world that left fans both heartbroken and hopeful. In an emotional episode of her podcast, Citizen McCain, the 40-year-old tearfully announced that she is expecting her third child with husband Ben Domenech, due in early 2026. The joyous news, however, was bittersweet, as it came with a candid revelation about a recent miscarriage that had left her grappling with grief. âThis journey hasnât been easy,â McCain said, her voice breaking. âAfter a painful loss, this new baby feels like a miracle, a light in the darkness.â The announcement, shared widely across social media platforms like X, sparked an outpouring of support, with fans and fellow commentators celebrating her resilience while mourning her loss. This article delves into McCainâs emotional journey, the highs and lows of her path to motherhood, her evolving public persona, and the broader impact of her openness about miscarriage in a society often reluctant to discuss it.
A Public Life, A Private Struggle
Meghan McCain has never shied away from sharing her opinions, whether on politics, culture, or personal matters. Born October 23, 1984, in Phoenix, Arizona, she grew up in the shadow of her father, Senator John McCain, a war hero and political titan who died in 2018 from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Her career spans roles at ABC News, Fox News, and MSNBC, with notable stints as a co-host on The View from 2017 to 2021 and a columnist for the Daily Mail. Known for her fiery conservatism and willingness to challenge both parties, McCain has built a reputation as a polarizing yet compelling figure. Her 2008 book, My Dad, John McCain, and her 2021 memoir, Bad Republican, cemented her as a voice for a new generation of Republicans.
Yet, behind her bold public image lies a deeply personal story of resilience. McCain has been open about her struggles with grief since her fatherâs death, describing it as a âwound that festers.â Her journey through motherhood has been equally fraught, marked by a 2019 miscarriage that she detailed in a New York Times op-ed, calling it a âhorrendous experienceâ that left her âdying inside.â The loss, which occurred shortly after a challenging appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, was a turning point, leading her to advocate for destigmatizing miscarriage. âI wanted to speak for the women who feel they canât,â she wrote at the time.
Now, six years later, McCainâs announcement of her third pregnancy, coupled with the revelation of another recent miscarriage, underscores her ongoing commitment to vulnerability. In her podcast, she described the moment she learned of the loss: âI was at a doctorâs appointment, expecting good news, and the silence in the room was deafening. I felt like the ground fell out from under me.â Her candor, paired with the joy of her new pregnancy, has resonated with fans, who flooded X with messages like, âMeghanâs strength is unreal. So happy for her baby news, but my heart breaks for her loss.â
The Announcement: Tears, Hope, and a New Beginning
The Citizen McCain episode, titled âA New Chapter,â was a raw, unfiltered window into McCainâs world. Recorded in her Washington, D.C., home, the episode began with McCain addressing her audience directly: âThis is hard to share, but itâs important. Life gives you joy and pain, sometimes all at once.â She recounted the miscarriage, which occurred in late 2024, describing it as a âquiet devastationâ that left her and Domenech reeling. âBen and I sat on our couch, holding hands, not knowing how to move forward,â she said. âOur daughters, Liberty and Clover, didnât know, but they could sense something was wrong. Kids always do.â
Yet, the episode took a hopeful turn as McCain revealed her pregnancy. âWhen I saw that positive test, I didnât believe it at first,â she said, choking back tears. âAfter so much lossâmy dad, the baby we lostâit felt like a gift from above.â The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from listeners and public figures. Fox News colleague Janice Dean tweeted, âMeghan, youâre a warrior. This baby is so lucky to have you.â Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with one writing, âMeghanâs honesty about her miscarriage and this new baby is so brave. Sheâs giving hope to so many.â
McCainâs decision to share both the pain and joy was deliberate. âI know there are women out there feeling alone in their grief,â she said on the podcast. âI want them to know theyâre not invisible. This baby is proof you can keep going.â The announcement came with a personal touch: a black-and-white ultrasound photo shared on Instagram, captioned, âOur little miracle, coming 2026. We love you already.â
A Family Built on Love and Resilience
McCainâs journey to this moment has been shaped by her marriage to Ben Domenech, co-founder of The Federalist and a conservative commentator. The couple, married in November 2017 at the McCain family ranch in Sedona, Arizona, welcomed their first daughter, Liberty Sage McCain Domenech, in September 2020, followed by Clover Jade McCain Domenech in January 2023. Their relationship, often described as a partnership of equals, has weathered public scrutiny and personal trials, including the loss of Senator McCain and the 2019 miscarriage.
In her podcast, McCain shared a vivid anecdote that captures the strength of their bond. After the 2024 miscarriage, she recalled a night when Domenech found her crying in their kitchen at 2 a.m. âI was a mess, blaming myself, feeling like Iâd failed,â she said. âBen just held me and said, âWeâre in this together, always.â Then he made me laugh by trying to cook pancakes at 3 a.m.âthey were terrible, but it was exactly what I needed.â This story, blending raw emotion with a touch of humor, draws readers into the intimacy of their relationship, showcasing Domenech as a steadfast partner.
The coupleâs daughters, Liberty (age 4) and Clover (age 2), are a central focus of McCainâs life. She described the challenge of explaining the miscarriage to them: âLiberty kept asking why Mommy was sad. I told her sometimes babies need to wait a little longer to come to us.â The new pregnancy has brought excitement to the family, with McCain sharing that Liberty is already planning to âteach the baby how to draw.â These glimpses into her home life humanize McCain, making her relatable to parents navigating similar joys and sorrows.
The Pain of Miscarriage: A Public Conversation
McCainâs openness about her miscarriagesâfirst in 2019 and now in 2024âhas positioned her as a powerful advocate for breaking the silence around pregnancy loss. Miscarriage affects approximately one in four pregnancies, yet it remains a topic shrouded in stigma. In her 2019 New York Times op-ed, McCain wrote, âMiscarriage is a pain too often unacknowledged. Our babies are real, and they deserve to be mourned.â Her latest announcement builds on this, offering a raw account of the emotional toll. âItâs not just losing a pregnancy; itâs losing a future you imagined,â she said on Citizen McCain. âYou grieve the first steps, the first words, all of it.â
Her vulnerability has struck a chord. After the episode aired, women shared their own stories on X, with one writing, âMeghanâs words made me feel seen. I lost a pregnancy last year, and nobody talks about it.â Another posted, âThank you, Meghan, for saying itâs okay to hurt and hope at the same time.â McCainâs advocacy extends beyond words; she has partnered with organizations like the March of Dimes to raise awareness about maternal health, hosting a virtual fundraiser in June 2025 that raised $100,000 for research.
A particularly moving story from the podcast illustrates the depth of her grief. After the 2024 miscarriage, McCain visited her fatherâs grave at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. âI sat there, talking to Dad, asking why this keeps happening,â she said. âI felt him with me, telling me to keep fighting. Itâs what he always did.â This poignant moment, tying her personal loss to her fatherâs legacy, resonates with anyone whoâs sought solace in memory during hardship.
McCainâs Evolution: From The View to Citizen McCain
McCainâs public persona has evolved significantly since her days on The View, where she often clashed with liberal co-hosts like Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg. Her departure in 2021, after four seasons, was driven by a desire to focus on family and escape the showâs âtoxicâ environment, as she later described in her memoir Bad Republican. âI was tired of being the punching bag,â she told People in 2021. âI wanted to live my life on my terms.â
Her podcast, Citizen McCain, launched in 2023, has become a platform for unfiltered commentary and personal revelations. Covering topics from politics to pop culture, it showcases her wit and willingness to tackle tough issues. The pregnancy announcement episode, which also featured guest Jamie Stelter discussing fertility struggles, drew record downloads, underscoring McCainâs ability to connect with audiences.
McCainâs return to Fox News as a contributor in 2024 has also revitalized her career. Appearing on shows like Hannity and Fox & Friends, sheâs embraced her conservative roots while advocating for womenâs issues. Her announcement has only amplified her influence, with fans praising her for balancing motherhood with a demanding career. âMeghanâs proof you can be a badass mom and a badass commentator,â one X user wrote.
The Broader Impact: Destigmatizing Miscarriage
McCainâs openness comes at a critical time. Celebrities like BeyoncĂŠ, Michelle Obama, and Carrie Underwood have also shared their miscarriage stories, helping to normalize the conversation. McCainâs platform, reaching millions through Fox News and her podcast, amplifies this message. âWhen I talk about my losses, I hear from women who say itâs the first time theyâve felt understood,â she said. Her story has inspired initiatives like online support groups and increased funding for maternal health research.
The emotional weight of her announcement is balanced by moments of levity. McCain shared a lighthearted anecdote about telling Domenech about the new pregnancy: âI left the positive test on the bathroom counter with a Post-it that said, âRound 3!â He ran out yelling, âAre you serious?â and tripped over Cloverâs toys. It was chaos, but the best kind.â This story, infused with humor, keeps readers engaged while highlighting the joy that follows pain.
Looking Ahead: A Growing Family and a Lasting Legacy
As McCain prepares to welcome her third child, sheâs focused on balancing motherhood with her career. âIâm not slowing down,â she said. âThis baby will just have to keep up with our crazy life.â She and Domenech are considering names that honor her father, with John or Sage as top contenders. The couple plans to stay in Washington, D.C., where theyâve built a life with Liberty and Clover.
McCainâs announcement has also sparked speculation about her future. Will she return to The View or launch a new TV project? For now, sheâs content with her podcast and Fox News role, saying, âIâm exactly where I need to be.â Her fans agree, with one X post summing it up: âMeghan McCainâs journey through loss to this baby news is everything. Sheâs a fighter.â
A Message of Hope
Meghan McCainâs tearful announcement is more than a celebrity headlineâitâs a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of vulnerability. By sharing her miscarriage and pregnancy, sheâs given voice to countless women, proving that pain and joy can coexist. As she prepares for her third child, McCain carries forward her fatherâs legacy of courage, wrapped in her own unapologetic spirit. For fans, her story is a reminder that even after the deepest losses, hope can bloom anew.
Citizen McCain is available on all major podcast platforms. Follow Meghan on X and Instagram for updates on her growing family. Share your thoughts on her inspiring journey below! đĽ°