President Trump said Karoline Leavitt will step down as White House press secretary at the end of August to focus on her young family but will remain a key outside adviser. Leavitt returned from maternity leave after the birth of her daughter in May and said the job's demands made it difficult to be the mother she wants to be. She was the youngest person to hold the press secretary role after the 2024 election and helped expand access for podcasts and digital outlets; no successor has been named.
Karoline Leavitt To Leave White House At End Of August, Will Stay On As Top Outside Adviser
Trump Says Karoline Leavitt Will Leave White House to Focus on Family but Remain ‘One of My Top Outside Advisors’
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her administration post at the end of August to spend more time with her young family, though she will continue to work closely with him as a top outside adviser and an influential Republican voice ahead of the midterm elections.
Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom. She is one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office, and I fully understand and respect her decision to step back to focus on family.
Leavitt returned from maternity leave in May after the birth of her daughter, Viviana, and she also has a two-year-old son. In a statement, she said the press secretary role requires constant time, energy and attention and that since returning she felt she could not be the best mother her children deserve. She called leaving the post a "bittersweet decision" and described serving in the administration as "the honor and adventure of a lifetime."
Background and Tenure
After President Trump’s 2024 victory, Leavitt became the youngest person in U.S. history to serve as White House press secretary. She previously worked as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and ran an unsuccessful congressional campaign in New Hampshire.
Donald Trump Truth Social post on Karoline Leavitt's White House press secretary role departure
During her time in the White House, Leavitt emerged as one of Trump's most visible defenders, including during the Iran conflict, when she praised his handling of Operation Epic Fury. She frequently highlighted the administration's economic record, although one recent affordability claim she made drew an X Community Note. Reuters and other outlets reported that Leavitt and Communications Director Steven Cheung reshaped White House media strategy by increasing access for podcasts, newsletters and digital outlets through a new "new media" briefing-room seat.
The White House has not yet named a successor for the press secretary role. Trump said Leavitt will remain an influential voice within the Republican Party and one of his top outside advisers as the party prepares for the midterm elections.
What To Watch
Expect announcements about a replacement in the coming weeks and continued public appearances or statements from Leavitt in her new outside-adviser capacity. Her departure highlights the challenges of balancing senior White House duties with young family responsibilities, a choice that has prompted public discussion across parties.
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