White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart from her position at the end of the current month, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This development leaves the president without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach. Leavitt will transition to the role of an external communications consultant and political strategist, contributing to the evolution of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, as announced in statements by both her and Trump.
In a recent social media update, 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 commended Leavitt for her leadership within the White House, highlighting her efforts in advocating for justice, liberty, and freedom since 2018, including the successful 2024 re-election campaign.
Leavitt described her tenure at the White House as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign team and later transitioned to the role of White House press secretary after serving as a spokesperson during the transition period. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the youngest individual appointed to this position.
The future appointment to fill Leavitt’s high-profile role remains undisclosed by Trump. Colleagues, including Harrison Fields, Trump’s former principal deputy press secretary, praised Leavitt’s ability to effectively communicate Trump’s message and navigate media interactions in a strategic manner that resonated with the president’s audience.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, implemented significant changes in the administration’s approach to media relations. This included a shift towards selectively granting access to journalists covering the president, departing from the established practices overseen by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association. The administration introduced a specialized “new media” seat in the briefing room, aiming to provide expanded coverage opportunities for podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms.
These alterations were met with both support from those acknowledging the evolving media landscape and criticism from advocates concerned about potential biases in media access allocation by the administration.
