White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to leave her position at the end of August, with President Donald Trump announcing that she will step away to focus on her young family.
Trump described the 28-year-old as one of his “most trusted aides” and said he understood and respected her decision.
He also indicated that Leavitt would remain close to his administration, becoming one of his senior outside advisers and an influential figure within the Republican Party.
The White House has not yet announced who will succeed her.
Motherhood Behind the Decision
Leavitt returned to the White House last month after maternity leave following the birth of her second child, a daughter, in May.
She and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, also have a two-year-old son.
In announcing her departure, Leavitt said balancing motherhood with one of the most demanding political communications jobs in the country had become increasingly difficult.
She described the role as the “honor and adventure of a lifetime” but said she ultimately concluded that she could not give her two young children the attention they deserve while maintaining the constant demands of the press secretary position.
A Historic White House Appointment
Leavitt became White House press secretary in 2025, making history as the youngest person ever to hold the position.
Her tenure was characterised by a combative relationship with sections of the American media.
She frequently accused reporters of political bias while presenting a forceful defence of Trump’s agenda.
Her supporters, meanwhile, praised her ability to remain disciplined and consistently defend the administration’s position during contentious briefings.
Her Relationship With Trump Goes Back Years
Leavitt’s political relationship with Trump began during his first presidency, when she worked as an assistant press secretary and speechwriter.
She later served as communications director for New York Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik before running for Congress herself in New Hampshire in 2022.
Leavitt won a competitive Republican primary but ultimately lost the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas.
She subsequently became a spokesperson for MAGA Inc, a pro-Trump fundraising organisation, before joining Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign as national press secretary.
A Controversial Tenure With the Media
One of the most contentious episodes of Leavitt’s time as press secretary came when her office took control of the White House press pool’s organisation from the White House Correspondents’ Association.
The administration also initially excluded the Associated Press from certain access after the news organisation declined to adopt Trump’s preferred terminology, “Gulf of America”, for the Gulf of Mexico.
The decisions intensified an already strained relationship between the Trump administration and parts of the US press corps.
A Highly Visible Defender of Trump
Despite the controversies, Leavitt earned strong support from many Trump allies and conservative commentators.
Her ability to aggressively defend the president and maintain his preferred messaging made her a prominent figure in the administration.
Conservative activist and television host Riley Gaines was among those who publicly praised her performance following a particularly confrontational exchange in the briefing room.
Leavitt is also the second-longest-serving press secretary across Trump’s two administrations, behind former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Who Could Replace Her?
Trump now faces the task of selecting his sixth chief spokesperson across his two administrations.
There is no immediate indication of who will take over permanently.
During Leavitt’s maternity leave earlier this year, several senior administration figures took turns addressing reporters, including Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
The White House has not provided a timetable for announcing Leavitt’s replacement.
Miller Signals Leavitt Will Remain Close
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has suggested that Leavitt’s departure from the press secretary role will not end her relationship with the administration.
Calling her a close friend and role model, Miller said the two would continue working together and expressed confidence that her political career still has a long future ahead.
A New Chapter for a Rising Republican Figure
Leavitt’s resignation marks the end of a high-profile period in the White House briefing room, but it is unlikely to signal the end of her political influence.
Trump has already indicated that he intends to retain her as an outside adviser, while her role within the Republican Party could continue to grow.
For now, however, Leavitt is choosing to step away from one of Washington’s most demanding political jobs to prioritise her family and begin what she describes as a new chapter.
