White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart from her position at the end of the current month, according to an announcement made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This development leaves the president without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition into a role as an external communications consultant and operative within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, as confirmed by both Leavitt and Trump in their respective statements. In a recent social media post, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her desire to dedicate more time to her young children, particularly after welcoming her second child, a daughter, in May and recently returning from maternity leave.
Trump praised Leavitt’s contributions, citing her as a significant figure who has been instrumental in advocating for justice, liberty, and freedom since 2018, including during the 2024 Historic Re-Election Campaign. In his social media post, Trump lauded Leavitt as one of the most exceptional White House Press Secretaries in the history of the office.
Reflecting on her tenure at the White House, Leavitt described it as an esteemed and thrilling experience. She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later transitioned to serve as the spokesperson during the transition period before being appointed as the White House press secretary. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the youngest person to assume this role.
While Trump did not disclose any specifics regarding Leavitt’s successor in the prominent position, Harrison Fields, Trump’s former principal deputy press secretary, commended Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate with Trump and manage media interactions in a strategic and successful manner that resonated with the president’s audience.
During her tenure of a year and a half, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, reshaped the administration’s approach towards media relations. This transformation, which garnered praise from some of Trump’s supporters but criticism from advocates of press freedom, included a shift towards a selective approach in granting access to journalists covering the president. This departure from the traditional system overseen by the White House Correspondents’ Association involved the introduction of a dedicated “new media” seat in the briefing room, giving emerging digital outlets a more prominent role in presidential coverage.
While some welcomed this change as a recognition of the evolving media landscape, others raised concerns about its potential misuse as a tool to reward favorable coverage by certain outlets.
