Karoline Leavitt
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position at the end of August, marking one of the most significant departures from Donald Trump’s second administration.
President Donald Trump announced her decision on Wednesday and said Leavitt would leave the role so she could spend more time with her young children and family.
However, her departure will not mark the end of her political relationship with Trump. The president said Leavitt would continue to serve as one of his top outside advisers and remain an influential voice within the Republican Party.
Leavitt, 28, became the youngest person in US history to serve as White House Press Secretary when she took the position in January 2025.
Leavitt recently returned to the White House after maternity leave following the birth of her second child in May.
She said the demanding nature of the press secretary’s position made it difficult to give her two young children the time and attention they deserved.
In a statement announcing her departure, Leavitt described her tenure as an extraordinary experience and expressed gratitude to Trump for giving her the opportunity to represent his administration from the White House podium.
Her decision comes after roughly 19 months as Trump’s chief spokesperson at the White House.
During her tenure, Leavitt became one of the administration’s most recognisable public figures. She frequently defended Trump’s policies during press briefings and developed a combative style when responding to questions from journalists.
Her appearances often generated significant attention on social media.
Leavitt also became an important part of Trump’s broader communications strategy, which placed greater emphasis on conservative, digital and non-traditional media outlets alongside traditional news organisations. Her departure comes at a politically important moment for the administration, with the November midterm elections approaching.
Trump has made it clear that Leavitt will remain part of his political circle.
The president said she would become one of his top outside advisers and continue to have an influential role within the Republican Party.
That could allow Leavitt to remain involved in Trump’s political messaging without the demanding daily responsibilities of the White House press secretary’s office.
Trump has repeatedly praised Leavitt’s performance and loyalty during her time in the administration.
Her political career began before she returned to the White House. She previously worked in Trump’s first administration and later served as communications director for Republican Representative Elise Stefanik.
In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire but lost to Democratic Representative Chris Pappas. She later became a spokesperson for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign before being appointed White House Press Secretary.
The White House has not yet announced who will replace Leavitt.
The administration will now have to select a new public face for its communications operation.
The decision could be particularly significant as the Republican Party prepares for the midterm elections.
Leavitt’s departure also comes after changes within the wider White House communications team. During her maternity leave, other administration officials occasionally handled press briefings.
The next press secretary will face the challenge of maintaining Trump’s communication strategy while dealing with an increasingly competitive political and media environment.
For Leavitt, however, the transition will allow her to remain close to Trump without the demanding schedule of the White House podium.
Her decision therefore represents both a personal and political shift. She is leaving one of the most visible jobs in the US government, but she is not leaving Trump’s political orbit.
Instead, she is expected to continue advising the president from outside the White House while focusing more attention on her young family.
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