White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to step down from her position at the end of the month, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This departure will leave the president without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition to an external communications consultant and party strategist, contributing to shaping 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 intention to dedicate more time to her young children, having welcomed her second child, a daughter, in May and returning from maternity leave.
Trump praised Leavitt’s contributions during her tenure, highlighting her leadership qualities and dedication to upholding values such as Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, notably during the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. In his social media post, Trump lauded Leavitt as “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.”
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt described it as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later served as a spokesperson during the transition period before assuming the role of White House press secretary, becoming the youngest person ever to hold that position.
While Trump did not announce a successor for the high-profile role, Harrison Fields, Trump’s former principal deputy press secretary, praised Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate on behalf of the president, describing her as someone who understood Trump’s language and adeptly engaged with the media to serve the president’s interests.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, oversaw a significant shift in the administration’s approach to media relations, a move that received mixed reactions. The administration started selectively granting access to journalists covering the president, departing from the traditional system managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association. This change included the introduction of a designated “new media” seat in the briefing room, providing increased visibility to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in reporting on the presidency.
While some viewed this evolution as a positive response to the evolving media landscape, others criticized it, suggesting that it could be used as a tool to reward media outlets that offered favorable coverage of the administration.