White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday. The decision centers on her desire to spend more time with her young children and family following the birth of her second child earlier this year.
Trump shared the news in a post on Truth Social. He described Leavitt as “one of my most trusted aides” and said she “will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect.” He added that she “will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections.” Trump also praised her work, calling her one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office.
Leavitt, 28, confirmed the move in a statement on X. She called her time as press secretary “the honor and adventure of a lifetime” and thanked Trump for opportunities that included work in the West Wing, time in the Oval Office, travel, and the privilege of speaking on his behalf. She noted that welcoming a new baby while holding one of the most demanding jobs had been “the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life.”
“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary,” she wrote. “And that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life.” Leavitt said Trump asked her to continue as a top advisor outside the White House. She added that she will remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party.
Leavitt gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May 2026. She also has a young son. She returned from maternity leave in recent weeks. She became the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary when she took the role at the start of Trump’s second term in January 2025.
Before this role, Leavitt worked as an assistant press secretary and writer in Trump’s first administration. She later served as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District in 2022, and worked as national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign.
No successor has been named. The White House has not publicly detailed the selection process or timeline for a replacement.
