Pete Buttigieg Welcomes Twins With Husband Chasten, Colleagues Celebrate: ‘Happy News We All Can Use’

Alex Noble

September 5, 2021 at 6:12 AM·3 min read

Pete Buttigieg Welcomes Twins With Husband Chasten, Colleagues Celebrate: ‘Happy News We All Can Use’

Pete Buttigieg’s family just doubled in size — he and husband Chasten are welcoming not just one but two bundles of joy.

The U.S. secretary of transportation announced the birth of the couple’s newborn twins on his social media platforms Saturday, writing, “Chasten and I are beyond thankful for all the kind wishes since first sharing the news that we’re becoming parents. We are delighted to welcome Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg to our family.”

He also shared a black and white photo of himself and Chasten beaming while holding Penelope and Joseph in their arms in a hospital bed.

Chasten and I are beyond thankful for all the kind wishes since first sharing the news that we’re becoming parents. We are delighted to welcome Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg to our family. pic.twitter.com/kS89gb11Ax

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) September 4, 2021

Buttigieg previously announced that he and Chasten were parents on Twitter last month but provided very few details. “For some time, Chasten and I have wanted to grow our family. We’re overjoyed to share that we’ve become parents!” he wrote, adding that ??”the process isn’t done yet.”

Buttigieg is the country’s first openly gay person to hold a Senate-confirmed position in the Cabinet. After his unsuccessful bid for president in 2020, he was sworn in as the secretary of transportation in February.

The couple’s announcement was immediately met with scores of congratulations, offers to babysit the twins and an enthusiastic welcome into the “parents of twins club” from colleagues and supporters alike.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki wrote, “Happy news we all can use.”

Sen. Mark Kelly offered he and wife Gabrielle Giffords’ congratulations in addition to one (very necessary) favor. “Congratulations Pete and Chasten! @GabbyGiffords and I are very happy for you both. We’ll send coffee.”

Legal analyst Joyce Vance also offered to babysit little Penelope and Joseph, replying, “I volunteer to babysit. I’m very good with tiny babies. Wishing you every happiness with your beautiful family.”

Buttigieg’s announcement also had celebrated film journalist Mark Harris feeling reflective.

“I’m just old enough to be slightly amazed by this, from a Cabinet secretary. It’s a reminder of how much more has to be accomplished for so many people,” he tweeted with a thumbs-up emoji.

Of course, the joy and celebration of a new baby in a loving family was also met by a small fringe group online that responded to the news with homophobic attacks, accusing the Buttigiegs of “stealing” a hospital bed and misunderstanding the custom of new fathers being present at the hospital when their children are born.

On the other hand, even Pete’s former opponent for the presidency (and alleged nemesis) Amy Klobuchar had well-wishes for his new family.

“You’re both going to make wonderful parents, congrats @Chasten and @PeteButtigieg,” she tweeted.

.aspect-ratio-box { height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-top: calc(720 / 1280 * 100%); background: #f9f9f9; position: relative; margin-bottom:30px; } .aspect-ratio-box-inside { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Read original story Pete Buttigieg Welcomes Twins With Husband Chasten, Colleagues Celebrate: ‘Happy News We All Can Use’ At TheWrap

AFP
India minister blames dam release for flooding
A top politician in eastern India on Friday blamed authorities in a neighbouring state for causing a flooding crisis by opening dams after 26 people were killed and 250,000 others were forced to relocate.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters that 26 people had been killed this week, with another 250,000 forced to leave their homes and find shelter.
AFP
Asian markets track Wall Street record to extend global rally
Asian markets built Friday on the latest global rally after a jumbo US interest rate cut this week, while the yen edged up after the Bank of Japan decided against another hike.Bets on more tightening -- and a period of cutting by the Fed -- helped push the yen this week to less than 140 per dollar, its strongest level since summer.
CNN
Fall equinox: Why the first day of fall isn’t as equal as you might think
Fall equinox 2024 arrives on Sunday, September 22. Find out why the first day of autumn still features a little more daylight than darkness.
Reuters
UN peacekeepers in Lebanon urge immediate de-escalation
The U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon urged de-escalation on Friday after a big increase in hostilities at the Lebanese-Israeli border, where Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire for almost a year. The UNIFIL force had witnessed "a heavy intensification of the hostilities across the Blue Line" and throughout its area of operations, spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told Reuters. "We are concerned at the increased escalation across the Blue Line and urge all actors to immediately de-escalate," he said.
CNN
Kentucky sheriff killed judge in his chambers following an argument, police say. Here’s what we know
Kentucky State Police are searching for motive as they investigate the fatal shooting of a district judge by a sheriff after the two had an argument inside the judge’s chambers, according to police.
Reuters
UAE's AI firm G42 and Nvidia to team up on climate tech
United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company G42 has teamed up with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia to work on climate tech, G42 said on Friday, ahead of the first-ever visit to the White House by a president of the UAE next week. The Gulf-based company said in a statement the two firms would work together develop AI solutions aimed at boosting weather forecasting accuracy globally and will set up an operational base and climate tech lab in Abu Dhabi. The UAE, led by government-backed G42, is investing heavily in AI to help diversify its economy away from oil and UAE-based companies have forged several deals with U.S. firms recently.
NBC News
How pagers turned into explosive devices in Lebanon
Pagers, used every day by health care professionals, became a deadly weapon Tuesday as thousands of them simultaneously exploded in Lebanon.
AFP
Revolution or mirage? Controversy surrounds new Alzheimer's drugs
Two new drugs, the first capable of slowing down the debilitating progression of Alzheimer's disease, have become embroiled in one of the biggest medical controversies in recent years.The controversy has seen countries take different stances on whether to approve the drugs or not.
Associated Press
The EU's chief is trying to help Ukraine prepare for winter. Half its energy network is destroyed.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Ukraine on Friday focused on helping the country to repair and reconnect its war-damaged electricity grid and boost its heating capacity as winter approaches. Around half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been destroyed during its war with Russia, and rolling electricity blackouts leave parts of the east in darkness for four hours at a time. “Heating season starts in two weeks and Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure aims to inflict maximum damage,” von der Leyen said as she arrived in Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Associated Press
Turkey wants to regulate Germany's beloved d?ner kebab street food
Beef and chicken glisten as they rotate slowly on vertical spits before they are carved off in razor-thin strips. The scene at Kebap With Attitude in Berlin’s trendy Mitte neighborhood is typical of any street-side stand or restaurant where cooks pile the ingredients into pita bread to create the city’s beloved d?ner kebab. In the balance is an industry that generates annual sales of roughly 2.3 billion euros (nearly $2.6 billion) in Germany alone, and 3.5 billion euros (nearly $3.9 billion) across Europe, according to the Berlin-based Association of Turkish D?ner Producers in Europe.
CNN
Kentucky sheriff arrested in fatal shooting of district judge inside courthouse, state police say
A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested Thursday in connection with the fatal shooting of a district judge inside a courthouse, Kentucky State Police said.
USA TODAY
Feds extradite man for plot to steal $8 million in FEMA disaster assistance
The Justice Department said Newton Ofioritse Jemide worked with others to steal assistance intended for victims of various hurricanes and wildfires.
CNN
New analysis of samples from Wuhan animal market supports its role as a central site of early spread of Covid-19
After an in-depth analysis of the genetic material from hundreds of swabs taken from the walls, floors, machines and drains inside the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China — a site that’s been described as an epicenter of early spread of Covid-19 — scientists say they now know exactly which species of animals were in the same area where investigators also found the most positive samples the virus that causes Covid-19.
NBC News
At a 'fighting antisemitism' event, Trump says?Jewish voters will bear 'a lot' of blame if he loses
In remarks ostensibly focused on combating antisemitism, former President Donald Trump questioned why he lacks commanding support from Jewish voters and suggested that they would have “a lot to do” with a loss in November if their support for his campaign does not grow.
AFP
Biden opens home to 'Quad' leaders for farewell summit
US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Australia, Japan and India at his Delaware home this weekend to bid farewell to the so-called "Quad" group that he has pushed as a counterweight to China.India is due to host the next Quad summit in 2025.
CNN
Why a scandal consuming a Trump protégé could harm the ex-president in North Carolina
Donald Trump risks being doomed by what he wrought in North Carolina.
Reuters
Biden, 'Quad' leaders to talk maritime security as China tensions grow
Tensions brewing in Asia's trade-rich waters top the agenda as U.S. President Joe Biden welcomes leaders from Australia, India and Japan to his Delaware hometown for a diplomatic push to counter China in the waning months of his presidency. Biden heads to Wilmington, Delaware, on Friday ahead of the Quad Leaders Summit, where the leaders are expected to speak about conflict between Beijing and its neighbors in the South China Sea who have repeatedly clashed over disputed territory, U.S. officials told Reuters. On the agenda: stepped-up security cooperation in the Indian Ocean and progress to track illegal fishing fleets operating in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, most of which were Chinese.
AFP
Taiwan questions two in probe into Hezbollah pagers
Two people from Taiwanese companies were questioned as part of a probe into pagers that exploded while being used by Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon, investigators said Friday, as top officials insisted the devices were not from the island.When pressed on the pagers in Lebanon used by Hezbollah operatives, he said: "We can be certain that they are not produced in Taiwan."
Associated Press
Thousands of exploding devices in Lebanon trigger a nation that has been on edge for years
Chris Knayzeh was in a town overlooking Lebanon's capital when he heard the rumbling aftershock of the 2020 Beirut port blast. Already struggling with the country’s economic collapse, the sight of the gigantic mushroom cloud unleashed by the blast was the last straw. Like many other Lebanese, he quit his job and booked a one-way ticket out of Lebanon.
Associated Press
Takeaways from AP’s story on the role of the West in widespread fraud with South Korean adoptions
Western governments eagerly approved and even pushed for the adoption of South Korean children for decades, despite evidence that adoption agencies were aggressively competing for kids, pressuring mothers and bribing hospitals, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found. Now adults, many of those children have since discovered that their adoption paperwork was untrue. The AP, in collaboration with Frontline (PBS), spoke with more than 80 adoptees in the U.S., Australia and Europe and examined thousands of pages of documents to reveal evidence of kidnapped or missing children ending up abroad, fabricated names, babies switched with one another and parents told their newborns were gravely sick or dead, only to discover decades later they’d been sent to new parents overseas.

Latest Stories