Karoline Leavitt has announced she will be stepping down from her role as White House press secretary to spend more time with her family. President Donald Trump confirmed the departure on August 13, 2026, noting that Leavitt, who became the youngest White House press secretary in history upon her appointment in January 2025 at age 27, “will now be one of my top outside advisers.”

Leavitt cited the birth of her daughter and the challenge of balancing the demanding responsibilities of the press secretary position with motherhood as reasons for her decision. She wrote, “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.”

During her tenure, Leavitt made history as the first expectant White House press secretary when she announced her pregnancy in December 2025. She faced criticism for remarks such as claiming “Gen Z and those younger than me have been raised with just silver spoons in their mouths,” and for her confrontational stance toward reporters.

Leavitt’s departure comes as President Trump’s approval rating hits historic lows amid voter dissatisfaction over rising prices and the ongoing war involving Iran. Meanwhile, military families and Congress have raised concerns about the mental health crisis aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed since November 21, 2025. Originally bound for the Pacific, the warship was redirected to the Middle East following the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The 5,000-plus crew has had only two days on land, with the deployment extended past its original May end date amid the ongoing war. Reports of poor conditions onboard, including rationed food and water shortages, have been dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as “more fake news.”

Leavitt’s tenure and departure mark a significant moment in the White House communications team during a turbulent period for the administration.

Sources