WASHINGTON: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, marking a significant change in his communications team as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Trump called Leavitt, 28, “one of my most trusted aides” and said she was stepping down to spend more time with her young children and family. He added that she would continue to serve as an outside adviser.
Leavitt described the decision as “bittersweet,” saying the demands of the job made it difficult to give her two young children the time and attention they needed.
“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 in a social media post.
Leavitt made history as the youngest White House press secretary and the first woman to hold the position while pregnant. She returned to the briefing room last month after taking maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, Viviana, on May 1.
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Her departure comes as Trump faces political challenges, including low approval ratings, high gas prices and the ongoing war with Iran, with the midterm elections less than three months away.
Known for her combative defense of Trump, Leavitt became one of the administration’s most visible spokespeople, regularly confronting reporters during White House briefings while promoting the president’s policies on social media.
Leavitt previously served in a junior communications role during Trump’s first term. She later ran unsuccessfully for Congress in New Hampshire before joining Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, where she quickly became a trusted member of his inner circle.
Her decision also underscores the demanding nature of the White House press secretary’s job. After the birth of her first child in July 2024, Leavitt took only four days of leave before returning to the campaign trail.
Although she will leave the White House, Leavitt is expected to remain an important voice for Trump as an outside adviser, particularly as the administration heads into the 2026 midterm election season.
