White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart her position by the end of the month, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This move leaves the president without one of his key advisers as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition to an external communications advisory role and play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, as stated by both Leavitt and Trump in their announcements. In a social media post, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children, particularly after recently returning from maternity leave following the birth of her second child in May.
Trump praised Leavitt’s contributions, highlighting her leadership and dedication to upholding values such as Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, including her pivotal role in the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. He lauded Leavitt as one of the most exceptional White House Press Secretaries in the history of the office.
Reflecting on her tenure, Leavitt described her time at the White House as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and subsequently served as a transition spokesperson before being appointed as the White House press secretary, becoming the youngest person to hold this position.
The announcement did not include details about Leavitt’s successor in the prominent role. Harrison Fields, Trump’s former principal deputy press secretary, commended Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate with Trump and skillfully navigate media interactions to align with the president’s messaging.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, orchestrated a shift in the administration’s approach to media relations, a move that received mixed reactions. The Trump administration adopted a more selective approach in granting media access to the president, departing from the longstanding system overseen by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association.
This included the creation of a specialized “new media” seat in the briefing room, offering increased visibility to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in covering presidential activities. While some praised this as a nod to the evolving media landscape, others raised concerns about potential favoritism in media access under this revised framework.