Karoline Leavitt departure marks a major White House shift as the young mother chooses family over the demanding podium.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August 2026. President Donald Trump announced the change Wednesday and said Leavitt will continue working as one of his top outside advisors.
Leavitt said she made the difficult decision after trying to balance the demanding position with raising two young children. The White House has not announced who will replace her.
Leavitt Calls Departure Bittersweet
Leavitt confirmed her plans in a lengthy statement posted on X. She called serving as press secretary the honor and adventure of a lifetime.
She said returning to the White House after her daughter’s birth made her reconsider her priorities. Leavitt explained that the job required constant time, energy and attention.
She said she could not give that commitment while also being the mother her children deserved. The Associated Press confirmed that Leavitt will finish her White House service at the end of the month.
Leavitt also made clear that she is not leaving politics. She said her political fight was entering a new phase but remained far from over.
Trump Gives Leavitt a New Outside Role
Trump praised Leavitt as one of his most trusted aides. He said he understood and respected her decision to spend more time with her family.
The president said Leavitt would become an influential Republican voice outside the administration. He expects her to help Republicans during the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump called her one of the best White House press secretaries in American history. He also praised her work during his 2024 presidential campaign and second administration.
The exact duties of Leavitt’s new advisory position remain unclear. However, Reuters reported that she will remain involved in communications and Trump’s political movement.
Motherhood Drove the Decision
Leavitt recently returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter in May. She and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, now have two young children.
Her daughter’s birth marked another historic moment. Leavitt became the first known White House press secretary to give birth while serving in the position.
Leavitt described the experience as both rewarding and challenging. She said motherhood changed how she viewed the demands of her public role.
Her announcement focused heavily on the personal struggle between public service and family life. That message drew support from senior administration officials and conservative political figures.
Youngest White House Press Secretary in History
Leavitt became press secretary when Trump returned to office in January 2025. At 27, she became the youngest person ever appointed to the role.
She previously served as national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign. She also worked in the White House press office during Trump’s first administration.
Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022 but lost the general election. She later became one of Trump’s most visible political defenders on television and social media.
During her White House tenure, Leavitt expanded access for digital creators and nontraditional news outlets. She also regularly challenged reporters and strongly defended Trump’s policies from the briefing room.
Trump Officials Praise Leavitt
Vice President JD Vance called the press secretary position one of the administration’s hardest jobs. He praised Leavitt for defending Trump’s agenda while facing daily media pressure.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles described Leavitt’s performance as extraordinary. She also praised Leavitt’s ability to manage her professional duties while raising a family.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and FBI Director Kash Patel also thanked Leavitt for her service. Their comments showed the close relationships she developed across the administration.
No Replacement Announced
Trump did not identify Leavitt’s successor when he announced her departure. The choice will determine who becomes the administration’s main public voice during a critical election period.
The next press secretary will enter the role as Republicans fight to protect their congressional majorities. That person will also face intense questions about Trump’s domestic and foreign policies.
Leavitt’s move does not represent a full break from Trump’s political operation. Instead, she will shift from a government position into an outside role with more flexibility.
Her departure closes a historic chapter at the White House podium. It also begins a new one in which Leavitt plans to balance family life with an active role in Republican politics.