White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to step down from her position at the end of the month, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This departure leaves the president without one of his key advisors just before the upcoming midterm elections in November.
Leavitt will transition into the role of an external communications advisor and party strategist, contributing to the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, both Leavitt and Trump confirmed in their statements. On social media, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children, especially after welcoming her second child, a daughter, in May and recently resuming work after maternity leave.
President Trump praised Leavitt’s contributions, highlighting her leadership and dedication to principles of Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, including her significant role in the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Trump commended Leavitt as one of the most exceptional White House Press Secretaries in the history of the office.
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt described it as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She first joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later served as a transition spokesperson before being appointed as the White House press secretary, becoming the youngest person to hold that position.
Regarding her departure, Trump has not yet disclosed any plans for Leavitt’s successor in this prominent role.
Former principal deputy press secretary for Trump, Harrison Fields, lauded Leavitt’s unique abilities, emphasizing her fluency in communicating Trump’s message effectively to the media and ensuring her messages resonated with the president’s audience.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, reshaped the administration’s approach towards the media, receiving praise from some of Trump’s supporters while drawing criticism from advocates of a free press. The Trump administration implemented changes in the press pool, including selectively granting access to journalists, departing from the traditional system established by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association. This new approach aimed to provide a more diverse range of media outlets, including podcasts, newsletters, and digital platforms, with increased coverage of presidential activities.
The administration’s decision to create a designated “new media” seat in the briefing room sparked varied reactions, with some viewing it as a positive response to evolving media trends, while others raised concerns about it potentially being used to influence media coverage in favor of the administration.