Karoline Leavitt Leaving White House as Trump Press Secretary at End of August

By Tiffany Williams –

WASHINGTON — The White House is preparing for a major change at the podium.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday afternoon that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, ending the tenure of one of the administration’s most visible and combative public defenders just weeks before the midterm elections enter their final stretch.

Leavitt, 28, said the decision came down to the demands of motherhood and the reality of trying to balance two young children with one of Washington’s most relentless jobs.

Trump announced her departure on Truth Social while making clear that Leavitt is not disappearing from his political orbit.

“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, 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! Karoline 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. Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Leavitt followed with a lengthy statement of her own on X, describing her time representing Trump from the White House podium as an extraordinary opportunity but acknowledging the personal price of maintaining the demanding schedule.

“Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for granting me so many extraordinary opportunities, such as working in the West Wing and spending countless hours in the Oval Office, flying around the world and meeting foreign leaders, and traveling across our beautiful country and meeting Americans from all walks of life.”

But Leavitt’s explanation soon turned intensely personal.

“Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least. 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 — 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.”

Her departure creates an immediate question for a White House heading toward a consequential political period.

There is no announced successor, and it remains unclear who will take over the podium or handle the position on an interim basis.

Leavitt made history when she became White House press secretary in January 2025 at just 27, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the job.

She quickly became one of Trump’s most recognizable messengers, regularly sparring with reporters while aggressively defending the administration’s policies. She also moved to expand access to White House briefings for podcasters, influencers, bloggers and other members of what she called the “new media landscape.”

Her relationship with Trump stretches back to his first administration. Leavitt worked in the White House correspondence office before becoming an assistant press secretary. After leaving the administration in 2021, she served as communications director for Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York.

Leavitt later ran for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, winning the Republican nomination before losing the general election to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.

She eventually returned to Trump’s political operation, becoming a spokesperson for MAGA Inc. and later joining his 2024 presidential campaign.

Now she is leaving the building — but not Trump’s team.

“President Trump has asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside, and I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party.”

For Trump, the departure means losing one of the most prominent faces of his communications operation at a critical moment.

For Leavitt, it marks something different: a decision to leave the White House podium for her family while keeping a place in Trump’s political operation.

“My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over.”