White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart her position by the end of the month, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This move leaves the president without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition to an external communications advisor and party operative, contributing to the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, according to statements released by both Leavitt and Trump. In a recent social media post, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her decision to allocate more time to her young children, having welcomed her second child, a daughter, in May and returning from maternity leave.
Describing Leavitt as instrumental in the White House, Trump praised her work advocating for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, particularly during the 2024 Historic Re-Election Campaign. Trump lauded Leavitt as one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the history of the position.
Reflecting on her tenure, Leavitt referred to her time at the White House as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later served as a transition spokesperson before assuming the role of White House press secretary, becoming the youngest person to hold this position.
While Trump has not disclosed plans for Leavitt’s successor, Harrison Fields, Trump’s former principal deputy press secretary, praised Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate with Trump and manage media interactions to resonate with the president’s audience.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, reshaped the administration’s approach towards the media. This shift included the administration handpicking journalists granted access to the president, departing from the previous system overseen by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association.
Notably, the administration introduced a designated “new media” seat in the briefing room to provide greater visibility for podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in covering presidential activities. While some viewed this as a response to the evolving media landscape, critics raised concerns about potential bias in rewarding favorable coverage from selected outlets.