Karoline Leavitt to step down as White House press secretary

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her role at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, marking the conclusion of a tenure that made her the youngest person ever to hold the position. Leavitt, 28, will depart to focus on family life, a decision Trump praised as one he “totally understand[s] and respect[s].”

Trump announced Leavitt’s exit on Truth Social, calling her one of his “most trusted aides” and stating she would remain a “top outside advisor” to the Republican Party. “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,” he wrote. Leavitt, who has been a vocal defender of Trump’s policies, will continue to advocate for the president’s agenda while stepping away from the daily pressures of the role.

Leavitt’s career in Trump’s orbit began during his first term, when she served as an assistant press secretary and speechwriter. She later worked as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022, winning the Republican primary but losing to Democrat Chris Pappas. She joined Trump’s 2024 campaign as national press secretary before being appointed to the White House role in 2025, making history as the youngest press secretary in U.S. history.

During her tenure, Leavitt was known for her combative style in press briefings, often clashing with reporters and defending the administration with fervor. Her office also faced criticism for seizing control of the White House press pool in 2025, a move that sparked tensions with the press corps. Despite this, she was widely regarded as a loyal and effective spokesperson within Trump’s inner circle.

Leavitt’s departure leaves a void in the White House’s communications strategy just months before the midterm elections. Trump did not name a successor in his statement, and the White House has not yet provided details on the selection process. During her maternity leave earlier this year, senior officials including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio temporarily filled the role, though their appearances were less consistent than Leavitt’s.

Leavitt’s exit also raises questions about the future of the press secretary position, which has seen multiple changes under Trump. She is the second longest-serving press secretary in either of his administrations, following Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Her departure underscores the challenges of balancing high-stakes political work with personal life, a theme she highlighted in her farewell statement. “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,” she wrote.

As she transitions to her new role as an outside advisor, Leavitt’s influence on Republican strategy and messaging is expected to persist. Her decision to step down reflects a broader trend among female politicians and public figures who navigate the demands of leadership with family responsibilities, a dynamic that has drawn increasing attention in recent years.

Leavitt’s tenure was marked by high-profile clashes with journalists, including a March 2025 exchange with The Associated Press’s Josh Boak over tariffs and a June 2025 confrontation with NOTUS reporter Jasmine Wright about Trump’s stance on protests. In February 2026, she abruptly ended a press briefing after a question about Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, accusing reporters of focusing on “the same subject” rather than “wins” in the news. A January 2026 exchange with The Hill’s Niall Stanage over ICE’s tactics saw Leavitt label him a “leftwing hack” and accuse him of bias.

The Guardian reported that Leavitt faced criticism for attempting to control the White House press pool, a move rejected by the White House Correspondents’ Association. Her team also introduced a “new media” seat, often including conservative commentators. Leavitt was involved in a lawsuit with the Associated Press over press pool access, and she defended Trump’s handling of Epstein-related emails, stating they “prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong.”

Leavitt’s remarks on Gen Z, including a July 2026 comment that the generation was “raised with silver spoons in their mouths,” sparked backlash. She later retracted the statement, clarifying that many Gen Z Americans were “hardworking, entrepreneurial, and deeply patriotic.”

Despite the controversies, Trump praised Leavitt as “one of my most trusted aides,” and she will continue to serve as a key advisor to the Republican Party. Her departure marks the end of an era for the Trump administration, with the search for a new press secretary set to begin amid the looming midterm elections.

As the White House prepares for the transition, speculation has emerged about potential successors. Alina Habba, Trump’s former personal lawyer and a prominent defender of the president, has re-entered the conversation as a possible replacement. Habba, who was previously considered for the role in 2024, has a long history of advocating for Trump’s interests, including during his legal battles. However, her recent tenure as interim US attorney for New Jersey ended amid legal challenges over her appointment, raising questions about her suitability for the press secretary position. While Trump has not confirmed a successor, prediction markets have positioned Habba as a leading contender, highlighting the high stakes of the upcoming midterm elections.