White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, announced she will step down from her position at the end of August after serving since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. Leavitt is the youngest person to hold the role and the first White House press secretary to have a child while serving, giving birth to her second child in May 2026.

Trump shared on Truth Social that Leavitt will become one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice within the Republican Party as they aim to win the Midterm Elections. Leavitt confirmed her departure in a statement on X, expressing that being press secretary has been “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She added that since having her second child, she felt she could not be the best mother to her two young children while fulfilling the demanding responsibilities of the role.

Leavitt returned from maternity leave on July 16 after initially planning to end her briefings on April 24. She made an unexpected return to hold a briefing shortly after the April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. She also served as Trump’s national press secretary during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Leavitt is one of only eight women to have served as White House press secretary. She expressed gratitude to the President for the privilege of speaking on his behalf at the White House podium.

Sources