Karoline Leavitt to step down as White House press secretary

Karoline Leavitt to step down as White House press secretary

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, will step down from her role at the end of August. According to Trump, Leavitt is leaving to spend more time with her young children and family, a decision he said he "totally understands and respects," as stated on his Truth Social platform: "Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!"

Leavitt, 28, became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when Trump returned to office in January 2025. She recently returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her second child in May. In a statement on X, Leavitt said: "The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life."

Trump praised Leavitt's work in the administration, saying she will continue to serve as one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice within the Republican Party. As Trump stated, "Karoline will continue on as one of my TOP outside Advisors, and will remain an influential voice within the Republican Party as we head into the Midterms."

Before joining the Trump administration, Leavitt served as national press secretary for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and as a spokeswoman for his transition team. She also worked in the White House press office during Trump's first administration and ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022, losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.

Leavitt's departure comes less than three months before the midterm elections and leaves Trump without one of the most recognizable public faces of his second administration. It is not immediately clear who will replace her as press secretary.

During her tenure, Leavitt has had a sometimes combative relationship with the media, accusing some reporters of being biased or left-wing. She has also presided over significant changes to the White House's relationship with the press, including opening up press credentials to podcasters, social media influencers, and other "new media" journalists. At her first briefing in January 2025, Leavitt announced that the administration would open press credentials to these groups, arguing that the White House needed to adapt to Americans' changing news consumption habits.

Possible contenders to replace Leavitt include Harrison Fields, the White House principal deputy press secretary, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, and Taylor Rogers, a senior communications official who previously worked on Trump's campaign. However, Trump has occasionally favored loyalists with strong television and media credentials, so an outside selection from conservative media or the broader MAGA movement cannot be ruled out.

Reaction to Leavitt's departure

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller praised Leavitt, calling her a "close friend" and "role model." He said that Leavitt will continue to work with the administration and that her story is "just beginning," stating: "We're going to continue working together every single day. Her story is just beginning. I can't wait to see what her future holds."

As the administration prepares for the midterm elections, Leavitt's exit will likely be seen as a significant development in the ongoing drama surrounding the White House. With her departure, Trump will need to find a new press secretary who can effectively communicate his message and navigate the complex and often contentious world of White House politics.