White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position at the end of the month, announced U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This departure leaves the president without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition into an external communications advisor and play a role in shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, according to statements from both Leavitt and Trump. In a social media post, Leavitt, aged 28, expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children following the recent birth of her second child in May.
Trump praised Leavitt for her leadership in the White House, emphasizing her contributions to the causes of Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, including her involvement in the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Describing her as one of the most outstanding White House Press Secretaries in history, Trump commended Leavitt’s service.
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt referred to it as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She first joined Trump’s 2024 campaign team and later transitioned into the role of White House press secretary, becoming the youngest person ever appointed to the position.
The announcement did not include details about Leavitt’s successor in the prominent role. Former principal deputy press secretary to Trump, Harrison Fields, lauded Leavitt, noting her exceptional ability to effectively communicate Trump’s message and engage with the media.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, led a shift in the administration’s approach toward the media. This transformation, which received mixed reactions from Trump’s supporters and free press advocates, involved the administration selectively granting access to journalists covering the president, deviating from the traditional practices established by the White House Correspondents’ Association.
As part of these changes, the Trump administration introduced a designated “new media” seat in the briefing room, granting increased visibility to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in presidential coverage. While some viewed this adjustment as a response to the evolving media landscape, critics raised concerns about potential favoritism towards media outlets with favorable coverage.
Image captions:
1. Image: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and U.S. President Donald Trump are seen attending the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., last month.
2. Image: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while speaking with reporters, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt nearby at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
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