White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart from her position at the end of the month, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This departure leaves the president without one of his key advisors as the November midterm elections approach.
Leavitt will transition into a role as an external communications advisor and play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, according to statements made by both Leavitt and Trump. In a recent social media post, 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her desire to dedicate more time to her young children, having welcomed her second child, a daughter, in May and just returned from maternity leave.
Trump commended Leavitt for her leadership and outstanding contributions to the White House since 2018, highlighting her pivotal role in the Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. He described Leavitt as one of the finest White House Press Secretaries in history.
Reflecting on her time in the White House, Leavitt described her experience as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later transitioned to become the White House press secretary, being the youngest person to hold this position.
No specific plans have been announced by Trump regarding Leavitt’s successor in this significant role.
Former principal deputy press secretary to Trump, Harrison Fields, praised Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate and resonate with the president and media outlets, noting her strategic approach to engaging with the press.
During her tenure, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, implemented significant changes in the administration’s interactions with the media. This included a shift in the administration’s approach to media access, departing from the traditional system managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association.
The Trump administration adopted a selective approach in granting access to journalists, moving away from the previous rotation system. Additionally, a designated “new media” seat was introduced in the briefing room to provide expanded coverage opportunities for podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital media platforms.
While some praised these changes as a reflection of the evolving media landscape, others raised concerns about potential biases in media access based on favorable coverage.
The departure of Karoline Leavitt marks a significant transition within the White House communications team as the administration continues to navigate its interactions with the media.