White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position by the end of the month, announced U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This departure comes as a significant loss for the president, depriving him of a valued advisor just before the upcoming midterm elections in November.
Leavitt will transition into an external communications consultant and political strategist, contributing to the evolution of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, as confirmed in statements by both Leavitt and Trump. In a recent social media post, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children following the birth of her second child in May and her subsequent return from maternity leave.
Trump praised Leavitt’s leadership within the White House, commending her remarkable efforts in advocating for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, notably during the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Describing Leavitt as one of the most outstanding White House Press Secretaries in history, Trump lauded her contributions in a social media post.
Reflecting on her tenure at the White House, Leavitt described it as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” Initially part of Trump’s 2024 campaign team, Leavitt served as a spokesperson during the transition period before assuming the role of White House press secretary, becoming the youngest person ever appointed to this position.
Trump has not disclosed any plans regarding Leavitt’s successor in this prominent role. Former principal deputy press secretary to Trump, Harrison Fields, praised Leavitt’s exceptional ability to effectively communicate Trump’s message to the media and engage with the president’s audience.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, redefined the administration’s interaction with the media, a move that received mixed reactions from Trump’s supporters and press freedom advocates. The administration adopted a selective approach in granting access to journalists, departing from the longstanding White House Correspondents’ Association system. This change included the introduction of a dedicated “new media” seat in the briefing room, amplifying the role of podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in covering presidential activities.
While some lauded this shift as an acknowledgment of the evolving media landscape, others criticized it as a potential tool for the administration to reward favorable coverage from certain outlets.
