White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced her decision to leave the Trump administration at the end of August, citing the demands of the high-profile position and her desire to spend more time with her young family.
Leavitt, 28, announced her resignation on Wednesday after President Donald Trump confirmed that she would be stepping down from the role.
The press secretary, who returned to the White House podium following the birth of her second child in May, described her decision as “bittersweet.”
Leavitt said the demands of serving as White House press secretary had made it difficult for her to give her two young children the time and attention they deserve.
“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary,” she said.
She added that the decision would allow her to begin “a new chapter” in her life.
Leavitt and her husband have two children, including their daughter, Viviana, who was born in May, and a two-year-old son.
Trump said he understood and respected Leavitt’s decision, while indicating that she would continue to play a role in his political activities.
“Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections,” Trump said.
The president did not immediately announce a replacement for Leavitt.
Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when she was appointed to the position during Trump’s second administration. She had previously worked in the White House press office during his first term.
Before joining Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, she served as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a political action committee supporting Trump.
Leavitt also pursued a political career in New Hampshire in 2022, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing the general election to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas.
Following her first stint at the White House, she worked as communications director for Republican Representative Elise Stefanik of New York.
During her tenure as press secretary, Leavitt held fewer formal White House briefings than some of her predecessors, while Trump frequently engaged directly with reporters during White House events and presidential trips.
She was also a regular presence on conservative media outlets, including Fox News, where she defended the administration’s policies and criticised Democrats and mainstream media organisations.
Leavitt succeeded a series of Trump press secretaries whose briefings often featured contentious exchanges with journalists, including Sean Spicer and Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Other former Trump press secretaries included Stephanie Grisham, who did not hold a formal briefing during her tenure, and Kayleigh McEnany, who frequently used the White House briefing room to defend the administration and challenge the news media.
