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 as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition to an external communications advisor and party strategist, contributing to the shaping of 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, the 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 subsequent return from maternity leave.
Trump praised Leavitt’s leadership in the White House since 2018, particularly during the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024, describing her as one of the most outstanding White House Press Secretaries in history. In response, Leavitt described her tenure at the White House as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.”
Having initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and transitioning to the role of White House press secretary, Leavitt holds the distinction of being the youngest person appointed to this position. Trump has not yet disclosed plans regarding her successor in this prominent role.
Former principal deputy press secretary to Trump, Harrison Fields, lauded Leavitt’s unique abilities, noting her fluency in articulating Trump’s message effectively to the media and the public. During her tenure, Leavitt and White House communications director Steven Cheung orchestrated a shift in the administration’s approach to media relations, drawing both praise and criticism.
Under Leavitt’s leadership, the Trump administration implemented changes in the press pool system, customizing journalist access to the president and deviating from the established protocols of the White House Correspondents’ Association. Notably, a new media seat was introduced in the briefing room to grant enhanced coverage opportunities to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms, reflecting the evolving media landscape.
While some advocates viewed these adjustments positively for acknowledging media transformations, others raised concerns about potential biases in favor of outlets that provided favorable coverage, underscoring the complexities of media dynamics in the political sphere.