White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart from her position by the end of the month, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This move leaves the president without one of his key advisors leading up to the upcoming midterm elections in November. Leavitt and Trump revealed that she will transition into an external communications advisor and operative within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
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 returned from maternity leave. Trump commended Leavitt for her leadership and exceptional work in advocating for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, particularly during the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024.
Describing her tenure at the White House as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” Leavitt previously served as a spokesperson during Trump’s 2024 campaign and later transitioned into the role of White House press secretary. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the youngest person appointed to this position.
While Trump did not disclose any details regarding Leavitt’s successor in the prominent role, Harrison Fields, Trump’s former principal deputy press secretary, lauded Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate with Trump and navigate media interactions in a strategic 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 approach to media relations. This included a shift in how journalists were selected to cover the president, deviating from the long-standing system managed by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association. The administration introduced a “new media” seat in the briefing room, granting increased visibility to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital media outlets.
While some viewed this move as a positive response to the evolving media landscape, others criticized it, suggesting that it could potentially be utilized as a tool to reward favorable coverage by select media outlets.
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