Trump’s White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to Step Down

US President Donald Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will depart her role at the end of the month. The President stated that Leavitt is stepping down to spend more time with her family, describing the decision as one he "totally understand[s] and respect[s]." Leavitt, aged 28, confirmed her departure on X, citing the difficulties of combining motherhood with the demands of the White House position.

Leavitt took office in January 2025 at the age of 27, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position of White House Press Secretary. Her tenure has been characterised by a departure from traditional press engagement models. She replaced the standard press pool system with a selective approach, handpicking journalists who are permitted to approach the president. This strategy has drawn consistent praise from Trump, who has previously labelled her "one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office."

The announcement follows Leavitt’s recent return from parental leave. She gave birth to her second child, a daughter, in May 2026 and also has a two-year-old son. In her farewell message, Leavitt described her 18-month tenure as an "honor and adventure of a lifetime," expressing gratitude for opportunities to travel internationally and meet foreign leaders. She noted that her decision to leave was "bittersweet" but driven by the need to prioritise her children.

Prior to joining the White House, Leavitt worked in the press office during Trump’s first term under then-spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany. Following the 2020 election, she served in the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and unsuccessfully ran for a House of Representatives seat in 2022. She also acted as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign.

Leavitt has been a central figure in promoting the administration’s ideology, often facing scrutiny for her handling of sensitive topics. Her first press conference in January 2025 featured a claim regarding taxpayer funds in the Gaza Strip that was later corrected. She has also been noted for deflecting questions concerning the president’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and for denigrating mainstream media outlets.

Trump stated that Leavitt will remain "one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party." As of the announcement, no successor has been named to fill the vacancy left by Leavitt’s departure. The White House communications strategy, significantly altered during her time in the role, now faces a transition period without a confirmed press secretary.