White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Steps Down
Donald Trump announced that Karen Leavitt will leave her role as White House Press Secretary at the end of the month, citing a desire to focus on her young children and family.
Leavitt, 28, has been head of the Washington newsroom since last year, becoming the youngest person to hold the role. Trump praised her as one of his most trusted aides and said she would continue as an “outside advisor” and a key voice in the Republican Party.
The Secretary previously served as assistant press secretary and speech writer during Trump’s first term and later worked as communications director for New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. In 2022 she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in New Hampshire, losing to Democrat Chris Pappas in the general election.
Leavitt welcomed her second child, a daughter, in May after returning from maternity leave last month, while also raising a two‑year‑old son. She wrote on X that the experience of balancing life as a mother and the demands of the job had become too challenging for her.
The White House has yet to name a successor. During Leavitt’s brief maternity leave, senior Trump figures such as Vice‑President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of the Interior Doug Bergum addressed press briefings.
Leavitt’s tenure was characterized by a combative relationship with the media, including seizing control of the White House press pool in February and confronting the Associated Press over its terminology. Despite this, supporters praised her for steadfastly defending the administration’s positions.
The Republican Party remains hopeful that Leavitt’s future influence will grow beyond the President’s tenure, as she transitions to a prominent advisory role.
