U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down at the end of August.
Leavitt is leaving her post to spend more time with her young family following the birth of her second child. She will transition into a senior advisor role within Trump's political team.
Why is White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stepping down?
President Donald Trump announced that press secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving her podium role at the end of August to focus on her young family. Having recently welcomed her second child, Leavitt stated she could not balance full-time press secretary duties with parenting. She will remain a top outside advisor to the president.
Leavitt recently returned to the White House following maternity leave after the birth of her daughter in May. In social media posts, she expressed gratitude to Trump for the privilege of serving as the presidential spokesperson. She emphasized her commitment to holding media outlets accountable while promoting the administration's policy achievements.
At age 28, Leavitt served as the youngest presidential press secretary in United States history. She previously worked in the White House press office during Trump's first administration and served as his campaign spokesperson in 2024. Following an unsuccessful congressional run in New Hampshire in 2022, she gained national attention for her aggressive media appearances.
How did Karoline Leavitt change White House press operations?
During her tenure as press secretary, Leavitt instituted major operational changes within the White House briefing room. In February 2025, she announced that executive staff would directly select journalists covering Oval Office events and presidential travel. This policy revoked traditional credentialing authority previously managed by the independent White House Correspondents' Association.
Leavitt frequently delivered aggressive briefing room performances against mainstream journalists. She expanded press credentials for conservative media organizations, reshaping interaction dynamics between the administration and the press corps. Reporting from The Guardian notes that Trump described her as one of his most trusted political aides.
Her departure comes as the Republican Party prepares for midterm congressional elections in November. Political strategists monitor potential White House personnel changes as administration officials seek to adjust media communication strategies. Leavitt confirmed that her political involvement will continue in her new capacity as a senior advisor.
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