White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt plans to leave the Trump administration at the month’s end. At 28, she is the youngest to serve in this role. Her primary reason for stepping down is to prioritize her family.
Leavitt made this announcement in a social media post shortly after President Donald Trump revealed her departure. She had recently returned to the White House after giving birth to her daughter Viviana in May. She also has a two-year-old son. Leavitt noted that the demands of her position do not allow her to be the parent her children need.
“Since coming back to the White House, I realized I cannot meet the needs of my young children while fulfilling the duties of the Press Secretary,” Leavitt wrote. “This prompted my difficult decision to leave and start a new chapter.”
President Trump has not announced a replacement for Leavitt. He expressed understanding and respect for her decision in his own message on social media. Trump mentioned that Leavitt will remain a significant advisor and influential figure within the Republican Party as they aim for success in the Midterm Elections.
Before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign, Leavitt served as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump. In 2022, she contested a Congressional seat in New Hampshire, winning the Republican primary but losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.
In Trump’s first term, Leavitt worked as an aide in the White House press office and later became communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York. She was less visible in the press briefing room than some prior press secretaries. Trump primarily tasked her with engagements on Fox News and other conservative platforms to promote his agenda.
During Trump’s first term, his press secretaries included figures like Sean Spicer and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, known for combative interactions with the media. Stephanie Grisham held the role without conducting briefings, while Kayleigh McEnany often challenged the press during her tenure.