CNN anchor Abby Phillips was noticably absent from the cable network’s Election Night coverage on November 3, 2026, but for “very good reason,” she tweeted as the polls were closing.
Earlier in the day, Phillip revealed via social media that she and her husband, Marcus Richardson, welcomed their second child on October 27, a baby boy they named Maxwell Elias. As CNN began its coverage, she shared a photo of her TV, tuned in to watch her colleagues, and another of her holding baby Elias with Marcus and their four-year-old daughter, Naomi, by her side.
“Missing our Election Night coverage today for a very good reason,👶🏾🩵” Phillip tweeted. “But I’ll be watching and cheering on my colleagues from afar. Hope you tune in also!”
Abby Phillip Says She Welcomed Her Baby Boy at Home After a Long IVF Journey
In her initial baby announcement, Phillip, 37, shared that she delivered baby Maxwell at home.
Posting another family photo, Phillip wrote, “Welcome to the world Maxwell Elias Richardson! We’re overjoyed to welcome our sweet baby boy to our family. He was born on October 27th at home with the help of our wonderful midwife. He’s eating and sleeping like a champ and making himself right at home. 🩵🩵”
Phillip revealed she was expecting her second child in May and told People it was a huge relief after struggling with infertility.
“Our journey to a second child looked a little different from our first,” she said. “Like so many families, we were able to conceive with the help of IVF [in vitro fertilization]. In this moment, I’m both grateful that we were successful in God’s perfect timing and I’m also holding hope in my heart for all the families who are still waiting in their journey.”
Phillip added, “The process was challenging to manage, both emotionally and physically, but I’m thrilled to say we arrived at a beautiful place.”
Phillip’s Colleagues & Other Celebrities React to Her Baby News
Many of Phillip’s CNN colleagues commented on her posts about becoming a second-time mom, including anchor Jake Tapper, who wrote on one post, “WELCOME TO THE WORLD MAXWELL!!!!!” and on another, “We miss you!!! Sending love to you and Maxwell and the brood!!!”
Kaitlan Collins, CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent, gushed, “So gorgeous. Congratulations!!!!”
“Entertaintment Tonight” anchor Nichelle Turner wrote, “Oh Abby!!! He is PERFECT!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Congratulations”
Comedian Loni Love commented, “That boo boo is going to know politics!!!!! Congratulations!!!”
Elie Honig has been filling in for Phillip on her weeknight show on CNN, “NewsNight,” but it’s not clear if he’ll be her ongoing replacement during her maternity leave. Before her show launched in October 2023, she was the network’s senior political correspondent and hosted “Inside Politics Sunday.”
New Mom Abby Phillip Was Absent From CNN’s Election Night Coverage for ‘Very Good Reason’