White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart her position by the end of the month, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This move leaves the president without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition to an external communications advisor and party operative, contributing to shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, according to statements from both her and Trump. In a social media post, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her intention to dedicate more time to her young children, having recently welcomed her second child in May and returned from maternity leave.
Acknowledging Leavitt’s contributions, Trump praised her leadership in advocating for justice, liberty, and freedom since 2018, including her involvement in the historic re-election campaign of 2024. He described Leavitt as one of the most exceptional White House Press Secretaries in the history of the office.
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt described her role as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later served as a transition spokesperson before being appointed as White House press secretary, making her the youngest person to hold the position.
Regarding her departure, Trump did not disclose any details about a potential replacement for the high-profile role. Former principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields praised Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate with Trump and adeptly engage with the media to convey messages tailored to the president’s audience.
During her tenure, Leavitt, along with White House communications director Steven Cheung, implemented significant changes in the administration’s approach to media relations, drawing both applause from Trump’s supporters and criticism from advocates of press freedom. This included a shift towards selectively granting access to journalists and deviating from the traditional system overseen by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association.
Under the new approach, the administration introduced a dedicated “new media” seat in the briefing room, granting expanded coverage opportunities to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms. While some viewed this as a positive response to evolving media dynamics, others raised concerns that it could be used to manipulate favorable media coverage.
Overall, Leavitt’s departure marks a significant shift within the White House communications team, with the administration yet to announce plans for her replacement.