Trump Announces Karoline Leavitt Will Leave White House Press Secretary Role At Month-End

Washington: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her high-profile role at the end of August, US President Donald Trump has announced, marking a major change in his administration’s communications team.

Trump announced Leavitt’s departure on Wednesday, saying he understood and respected her decision to leave the White House. He also indicated that she would remain closely associated with his administration after stepping down, describing her as one of his top outside advisers and an influential voice within the Republican Party.

Leavitt, 28, is the youngest person to have served as White House press secretary. She took over the post at the beginning of Trump’s second administration in January 2025 after previously serving as a spokesperson for his 2024 presidential campaign.

'Bittersweet Decision'

Leavitt said her decision was driven by her desire to spend more time with her young family. She recently returned to the White House after maternity leave following the birth of her second child, a daughter, in May. She also has a two-year-old son.

In announcing her departure, Leavitt described it as a “bittersweet decision”, saying she had concluded that she could not give her two young children the time and attention they deserved while simultaneously meeting the demanding requirements of the White House press secretary’s job.

Trump Praises Leavitt

Trump has repeatedly praised Leavitt’s performance as his chief spokesperson. In his announcement, he described her as one of his most trusted aides and said she would continue to have an important role outside the White House.

Leavitt is expected to remain involved as an outside adviser while continuing to be an influential Republican voice as Trump and his party prepare for the US midterm elections.

No Successor Named Yet

Trump has not announced who will replace Leavitt as White House press secretary. Her departure will therefore trigger a search for a new public face for the administration’s daily interactions with the media.

Leavitt’s tenure was marked by a communications strategy closely aligned with Trump’s political style. Alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, she helped expand the administration’s engagement with conservative and nontraditional media outlets, while also introducing greater access for emerging digital platforms.

Her exit comes after a tenure in which she became one of the most visible and trusted members of Trump’s communications operation. She will formally leave the press secretary post at the end of August.

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