Karoline Leavitt to Leave White House Press Secretary Role
The Brief
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
Trump said Leavitt will step away from the press secretary role so she can spend more time with her young children and family. Reuters confirmed the announcement on August 12, 2026.
Leavitt, 28, became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when she took the position in January 2025. She recently returned to the White House after maternity leave following the birth of her second child.
Trump praised Leavitt’s work and said she would remain involved with his political operation after leaving the White House position.
What We Know
Leavitt said the decision was driven by the difficulty of balancing her White House responsibilities with raising her young children.
Trump described her as one of his most trusted aides and said she would continue supporting his political movement from outside the administration. Reuters reported that she will remain an outside communications adviser and continue working with the broader Republican political operation.
Leavitt joined Trump’s political team before his 2024 presidential campaign and later became his press secretary. Her tenure included regular White House briefings and a significant expansion of access for newer digital and independent media outlets.
The White House has not yet announced who will replace Leavitt as press secretary.
Her departure comes ahead of the November midterm elections, when the Trump administration and Republicans are expected to face significant political battles across the country.
What’s Next
Leavitt is scheduled to remain in the press secretary position through the end of August 2026.
The White House has not publicly named her successor. Until an official replacement is announced, Leavitt will continue serving as the administration’s press secretary.
After leaving the position, Leavitt is expected to remain involved as an outside communications adviser to Trump. Reuters reported that she will continue supporting Trump’s political movement rather than leaving his political orbit entirely.
The administration’s next confirmed step will be naming a new White House press secretary to take over the daily briefing and communications role.
