White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position by the end of the month, as 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 is set to transition into the role of an external communications consultant and party strategist, contributing to the evolution of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, according to statements released by both Leavitt and Trump. In a recent social media post, Leavitt, aged 28, expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children. Following the birth of her second child in May, she has just returned from maternity leave.
Trump praised Leavitt’s contributions, acknowledging her leadership in the White House since 2018, particularly during the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Trump lauded her as one of the most exceptional White House Press Secretaries in history.
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt described it as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign team and later served as the transition spokesperson before being appointed as White House press secretary, becoming the youngest person to hold the position.
Regarding her departure, Trump has not disclosed any plans for her successor in this prominent role.
Former principal deputy press secretary for Trump, Harrison Fields, praised Leavitt’s unique ability to communicate effectively, stating that she understood how to engage with the media in a strategic and successful manner that resonated with the president’s audience.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, implemented significant changes in the administration’s interactions with the media. These changes included altering the traditional press pool system, where journalists were selectively granted access to the president, deviating from the long-established practices of the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Additionally, the administration introduced a dedicated “new media” seat in the briefing room, granting podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms more prominent coverage of presidential activities. While some viewed this as a positive adaptation to the evolving media landscape, others criticized it as a potential tool for the administration to reward favorable media coverage.
The adjustments made by Leavitt and Cheung drew mixed reactions from Trump’s allies and advocates for press freedom, reshaping the dynamics of media engagement within the White House.