White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart from 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 just before the upcoming midterm elections in November.
Leavitt will transition to an external communications consultant and play a role in shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, both Leavitt and Trump confirmed in their statements. Leavitt, aged 28, expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children, having welcomed her second child, a daughter, in May and recently returning from maternity leave.
Describing Leavitt as a significant figure within the White House, Trump praised her contributions in advocating for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, particularly during the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. He further hailed Leavitt as one of the most exceptional White House Press Secretaries in the history of the position.
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt referred to her role as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later served as a transition spokesperson before being appointed as the White House press secretary, making her the youngest individual to hold this position.
No specific details were provided by Trump regarding Leavitt’s successor in this prominent role.
Former principal deputy press secretary for Trump, Harrison Fields, lauded Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate with Trump and strategically engage with the media to cater to the president’s audience.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, orchestrated significant changes in the administration’s approach towards the media, drawing both praise from Trump’s supporters and criticism from advocates of a free press. The Trump administration implemented a new system where specific journalists were selected to have access to the president, departing from the traditional approach established by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association.
Additionally, the administration introduced a designated “new media” seat in the briefing room, providing increased visibility to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in covering presidential activities. While some viewed this as a positive adaptation to the evolving media landscape, others raised concerns about potential biases in favor of outlets deemed to offer favorable coverage.
