The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, is set to depart from her position at 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 just before the upcoming midterm elections in November.
Leavitt will transition to an external communications advisor and party operative, contributing to shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, according to statements from both Leavitt and Trump. In a recent social media post, 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children following the birth of her second child in May and her return from maternity leave.
Describing Leavitt as a significant figure in the White House, Trump praised her leadership in advocating for justice, liberty, and freedom since 2018, particularly during the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. In another social media post, Trump hailed Leavitt as one of the most outstanding White House Press Secretaries in history.
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt referred to her role as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later served as a transition spokesperson before being appointed as White House press secretary, becoming the youngest individual to hold this position.
Trump has not disclosed plans regarding Leavitt’s successor in this prominent role.
Former principal deputy press secretary for Trump, Harrison Fields, praised Leavitt, noting her exceptional ability to effectively communicate Trump’s message and manage media interactions in a strategic manner that resonated with the president’s audience.
During her tenure of one and a half years, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, implemented significant shifts in the administration’s approach towards the media. These changes, which received praise from some of Trump’s supporters but criticism from advocates of press freedom, included the administration’s selective accreditation of journalists to access the president, departing from the traditional system overseen by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association.
As part of this transformation, the Trump administration introduced a special “new media” seat in the briefing room, granting increased visibility to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital media outlets. While some viewed this as a positive acknowledgment of the evolving media landscape, others raised concerns about the potential for the administration to use this approach to reward favorable coverage from certain outlets.