White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her role at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday.
Trump said Leavitt’s departure is to allow her “to spend more time with her beautiful young children and family”. He added that he understands and respects her decision, and said she would remain one of his “top outside advisors” and an “influential voice” within the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections.
In the post, Trump praised Leavitt as “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office” and thanked her for what he called a “job well done”.
Leavitt to step down at end of August
The announcement comes with less than a month having passed since Leavitt delivered her first White House briefing after returning from maternity leave. She welcomed her second child in May.
Leavitt confirmed her decision to step down in a post on X, expressing gratitude to Trump. She described the job as the “honor and adventure of a lifetime” and said she was thankful for the opportunity to work in his administration.
Return after maternity leave
She said her position as a mother of two was central to her reasoning, adding that balancing the role had been “rewarding yet challenging”.
Leavitt wrote that, after returning to the White House following the birth of her daughter, she had concluded she could not be “the best mom” her two young children needed while also devoting the “constant time, energy, and attention” required of the press secretary role. She said the decision was “bittersweet” and that she would “embark on a new chapter”.
Background in Trump’s campaign and administration
Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in history when she took up the post last year at 27.
Before becoming press secretary, she served as Trump’s spokesperson during his 2024 presidential campaign and his transition. She also worked in Trump’s first administration and in roles associated with Republican Representative Elise Stefanik.
Earlier than that, Leavitt ran for Congress in her home state of New Hampshire before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign, but lost the general election.
It was not immediately clear who Trump will choose to replace Leavitt.
Acting briefings during her leave
While Leavitt was on maternity leave earlier this year, a rotating group of administration officials delivered press conferences from the briefing room. Among those who held briefings were Vice President J D Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
During Trump’s first term, he had four press secretaries: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Kayleigh McEnany and Stephanie Grisham.
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13 August 2026
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