White House Press Secretary Leavitt to Step Down

WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, saying she plans to spend more time with her two young children.

Leavitt, 28, the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, said she decided to leave after returning to the White House following the birth of her second child in May.

“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,” Leavitt said in a post on X.

Trump said Leavitt will become one of his top outside advisers and remain an influential voice within the Republican Party as the administration works toward the 2026 midterm elections. He praised her performance and called her one of the best press secretaries in the history of the office.

Trump did not announce a replacement for Leavitt.

Leavitt first worked in Trump’s White House as a press aide during his first term. She later served as communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik and worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign.

In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in the general election.

Leavitt has been one of the most visible advocates of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement and has served as a prominent defender of his administration during her tenure as press secretary.

Trump said Leavitt will remain involved as an outside adviser after leaving the White House.