White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart from 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 advisers as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition into the role of an external communications consultant and a strategic figure in shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, as stated by both Leavitt and Trump in their respective announcements. In a social media post, Leavitt, aged 28, expressed her intention to allocate more time to her young children. She recently welcomed her second child, a daughter, in May and has just returned from maternity leave.
Describing Leavitt as a pivotal figure within the White House, Trump praised her leadership in advocating for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, particularly during the 2024 Historic Re-Election Campaign. Trump highlighted Leavitt’s significant contributions, labeling her as one of the most outstanding White House Press Secretaries in history.
Reflecting on her time at the White House, Leavitt referred to her role as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially engaged with Trump’s 2024 campaign and assumed the position of transition spokesperson before being appointed as White House press secretary. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the youngest individual appointed to this role.
With Leavitt’s impending departure, Trump has not disclosed any specific plans regarding her successor for this prominent position.
Former principal deputy press secretary to Trump, Harrison Fields, lauded Leavitt’s unparalleled capabilities, emphasizing her adeptness at effectively communicating Trump’s message and managing media interactions to align with the president’s objectives.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, orchestrated a shift in the administration’s approach towards the media. This transformation, though lauded by some of Trump’s supporters, drew criticism from advocates of press freedom. The administration implemented a revised system for granting access to journalists, departing from the traditional approach established by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association.
Under the revised system, the Trump administration introduced a designated “new media” seat in the briefing room, offering enhanced coverage opportunities to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms. While some viewed this as a positive response to the evolving media landscape, others raised concerns about potential biases in favor of media outlets deemed sympathetic to the administration’s policies.