White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down at the end of the month, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, creating a gap in his advisory team as the midterm elections approach in November. Leavitt will transition to an external communications consultant and political strategist, contributing to the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, as confirmed by both Leavitt and Trump in their official statements.
In a recent social media announcement, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her desire 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 praised Leavitt for her leadership qualities within the White House, highlighting her significant contributions to various campaigns and her exceptional performance as the White House Press Secretary since 2018.
Leavitt referred to her tenure at the White House as a remarkable journey and privilege. Having initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later serving as a transition spokesperson, she made history as the youngest individual to hold the position of White House press secretary. Trump has not yet disclosed any specific plans regarding Leavitt’s successor in this influential role.
Former principal deputy press secretary for Trump, Harrison Fields, commended Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate with the President and manage media relations, noting her strategic approach that resonated well with the target audience. During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, oversaw a significant shift in the administration’s interactions with the media, drawing both praise from Trump’s supporters and criticism from advocates of a free press.
Under Leavitt’s leadership, the White House administration implemented a new system for media access to the President, departing from the traditional White House Correspondents’ Association protocol. This approach involved selecting journalists based on specific criteria, including the introduction of a designated “new media” seat in press briefings to enhance the representation of digital media outlets. While some viewed these changes as a positive response to the evolving media landscape, others raised concerns about potential bias in media access and coverage selection.
