KEY TAKEAWAYS
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, will step down at the end of August to focus on family
- Leavitt made history as the youngest person to serve in the press secretary role since January 2025
- President Trump says Leavitt will remain a top outside adviser and influential voice in Republican politics ahead of 2026 midterms
- White House has not yet announced a successor for the high-profile communications position
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will depart her position by the end of August, reshaping the administration’s communications strategy less than three months before critical 2026 midterm elections. At just 28 years old, Leavitt has served as the youngest person ever to hold the press secretary role since taking the helm in January 2025. Trump praised the decision while confirming Leavitt’s transition to a senior advisory role within his political operation.
Trump’s Statement on Leavitt’s Departure
“Karoline has been one of my most trusted aides and has done an outstanding job as White House Press Secretary,” Trump said in announcing the transition. “She has decided that it’s time to spend more time with her young children and her family, and I fully support that decision. She will remain a top adviser and continue to play a vital role in our movement.”
Leavitt’s Impact on White House Communications
Since assuming the press secretary role at the start of Trump’s second term, Leavitt established herself as a combative and highly visible defender of the administration’s policies. Her briefings frequently featured aggressive pushback against reporters, challenging what she characterized as unfavorable or misleading questions directed at the president.
The press secretary also spearheaded a strategic shift in White House media relations, expanding access to conservative and digital media outlets while modifying traditional press-access practices involving the White House Correspondents Association. “This approach ensures that the American people hear directly from this administration through diverse media channels,” a White House official noted.
What’s Next for Leavitt
Leavitt recently returned to her podium duties following maternity leave after welcoming her second child, a daughter, in May. She is also mother to a young son. Despite stepping back from her official government role, Trump indicated that Leavitt will maintain significant influence within Republican circles.
“Karoline will continue as one of my top outside advisers as we head into the midterm elections,” Trump stated, signaling her continued prominence in GOP strategy and messaging.
Search for Successor Underway
The White House has not yet formally announced Leavitt’s replacement. Multiple names have circulated as potential contenders for the high-profile communications position, though no official selection has been made public. The timing of the transition places the successor search amid a politically sensitive period as the administration prepares for November’s midterm contests.
Fox News Digital / CelebBNews contributed to this report.