Karoline Leavitt to step down as White House press secretary
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to step down from her post at the end of the month to dedicate more attention to her family.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to step down from her high-profile post at the end of the month, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. The departure concludes a tenure that made her the youngest person ever to hold the office, having taken on the role last year.
President Trump revealed the impending exit via social media on Truth Social, explaining that the press secretary will leave her duties to dedicate more attention to her family. According to reporting from Yahoo News, Leavitt recently returned to the White House following a brief maternity leave after welcoming her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May. She also shares a two-year-old son with her husband, Nicholas Riccio.
Media additions
In a personal statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, Leavitt described the reality of balancing the relentless demands of the West Wing with motherhood.
"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 — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life"
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, via The Guardian
Trump praised his departing spokesperson on social media, designating her as one of his most trusted aides and confirming that she will transition into a role as a top outside advisor. Canadian News reports and other outlets noted that Trump emphasized her upcoming influence within the Republican Party as political figures gear up for the midterm elections. Cbc News noted that the president did not immediately outline any plans regarding who might step in to fill the vacancy.
Leavitt's background within the Trump administration extends across multiple cycles. According to BBC News, she previously worked as an assistant press secretary and speechwriter during Trump's first term before serving as communications director for New York Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Following an unsuccessful congressional run in New Hampshire, where she won a contested primary before losing to Democrat Chris Pappas, she acted as a spokesperson for the pro-Trump fundraising group MAGA Inc. And served as national press secretary for the 2024 presidential campaign.
Throughout her tenure as the administration's chief spokesperson, Leavitt maintained a notably combative relationship with portions of the press corps. Outlets highlighted her frequent clashes with mainstream reporters, whom she regularly accused of bias, alongside her aggressive defense of administration policies. Supporters within the conservative movement praised her strict adherence to message framing, while critics frequently challenged her combative approach in the briefing room.
Leavitt is the second longest-serving press secretary across either of Trump's administrations, following only Sarah Huckabee Sanders. During Leavitt's roughly seven-week maternity leave earlier this year, a series of senior administration figures took the podium, including Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
The announcement arrives as the administration navigates a complex political landscape. Broader world coverage highlights concurrent administration challenges, including legislative battles, shifting foreign policies, and ongoing electoral preparations as the Republican Party prepares for the November midterms. While conservative commentators lauded her performance, her departure leaves a significant vacancy at the podium.
What to watch next
- The official announcement of Leavitt's successor as White House press secretary before the end of the month.
- Leavitt's transition into her new capacity as an external advisor and surrogate for Republican midterm campaigns.
- Potential shifts in White House communications strategy under new leadership.
