WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s media operation is heading for a major change as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt prepares to leave her post at the end of August, months before the 2026 midterm elections, while remaining connected to Trump as an outside communications adviser.
Trump announced the decision Wednesday, praising the 28-year-old Leavitt as “one of my most trusted aides” and commending her work as a forceful defender of his administration. Leavitt said she was leaving to spend more time with her two young children after recently returning from maternity leave.
“The honor and adventure of a lifetime” is how Leavitt described her time at the White House, but she said the demands of the job made it difficult to balance her responsibilities with raising her family. She gave birth to her second child, a daughter, in May.
Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary when she took the position in January 2025. During her tenure, she developed a reputation for sharply challenging reporters, defending Trump’s policies and using briefings to generate moments that quickly spread across social media.
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She also helped reshape the White House’s relationship with the media by expanding opportunities for podcasts, newsletters and digital outlets.
The administration introduced a “new media” seat in the briefing room and organized sessions for online influencers, a move praised by some as an adaptation to modern media but criticized by press advocates over concerns about selective access.
Her tenure also featured repeated clashes with traditional news organizations. The White House removed the Associated Press from its press pool after the outlet declined to use the administration’s preferred name, “Gulf of America,” for the Gulf of Mexico.
Leavitt’s aggressive style earned Trump’s approval despite several controversies. He repeatedly praised her performance and described her as one of the strongest press secretaries to serve in the White House.
Before joining Trump’s second administration, Leavitt worked in a junior communications position during his first term and later became a spokeswoman for his 2024 presidential campaign. She also unsuccessfully ran for Congress in her home state of New Hampshire.
Her departure leaves Communications Director Steven Cheung and other senior officials with the task of selecting a successor to one of the administration’s most visible positions.
Leavitt is expected to remain active in Trump’s political operation as an outside adviser, potentially giving her a continued role in shaping his Make America Great Again movement as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
