White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her post at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced on social media.
Leavitt, who became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary at the age of 28, said she made the decision to step away from the high-profile job to spend more time with her family prioritizing her young child.
She welcomed her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May and recently returned from maternity leave.
In a statement posted on X , Leavitt called her departure a “bittersweet choice,” explaining that balancing the demands of mothering two young children with the responsibilities of the press secretary role had become increasingly difficult.
“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,” Leavitt wrote.
She emphasized her gratitude towards the president and the entire Trump family, for giving her the extraordinary opportunity to work in the West Wing and the Oval Office and their generosity and kindness overall.
“Most of all, I am thankful to the President for entrusting me with the distinct privilege of speaking on his behalf at the White House podium” she added.
Trump praised Leavitt’s tenure on Truth Social, describing her as one of his most trusted aides and calling her one of the best press secretaries in the office’s history. He also noted that he fully understood and respected her decision to spend time with her family.
Rather than leaving the administration’s political orbit entirely, Leavitt will transition into a role as a top outside adviser to Trump and an influential voice for the Republican Party ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. “I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party,” Leavitt strongly noted.
During her time at the podium, Leavitt was known for her aggressive defence of Trump’s platform and frequent clashes with journalists.
Alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, her tenure saw an expansion of press credentials for podcasters, social media influencers, and independent digital outlets.
The White House, however, has not yet announced a successor or an interim replacement for the press secretary role.