White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position by the end of the month, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This departure leaves Trump without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach. Leavitt and Trump disclosed that she will transition into the role of an external communications consultant and party strategist, influencing the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
In a social media update, 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children. Following the birth of her second child in May, she recently returned from maternity leave. Trump lauded Leavitt’s contributions, praising her leadership and staunch advocacy for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, particularly during the 2024 Historic Re-Election Campaign. Trump hailed her as one of the most exceptional White House Press Secretaries in history.
Describing her tenure at the White House as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” Leavitt previously engaged in Trump’s 2024 campaign and served as a transition spokesperson before being appointed as White House press secretary. Notably, she held the distinction of being the youngest individual appointed to this position. Trump has not yet outlined his plans for her successor in this prominent role.
Former principal deputy press secretary for Trump, Harrison Fields, acknowledged Leavitt’s exceptional abilities, noting her adeptness in understanding and communicating Trump’s message effectively to the media. During her time in office, Leavitt and White House communications director Steven Cheung revolutionized the administration’s approach to media interactions, receiving mixed reactions from Trump allies and free press advocates.
Under the leadership of Leavitt and Cheung, the Trump administration altered the traditional media access protocols by selectively granting journalists access to the president, departing from the longstanding system managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association. They introduced a new media seat in the briefing room, enhancing the role of podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in covering presidential activities.
While some praised this shift as an acknowledgment of the evolving media landscape, others criticized it as a tool for the administration to incentivize favorable coverage from certain outlets.