Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, is set to leave her position at the end of the month, President Donald Trump announced. Citing a desire to spend more time with her family, Leavitt’s departure marks the end of a notable tenure as one of Trump’s most trusted aides.
In a message posted on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, the president described Leavitt as “one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office” and expressed his understanding and respect for her decision to prioritize her young children. Leavitt, who became the youngest person to hold the role, has been known for her combative style and vigorous defense of the president in media engagements.
Leavitt gave birth to her second child, Viviana, in May. Reflecting on her time in office, she wrote on X that balancing motherhood and the demands of the press secretary role had been “the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life.” She stated that since returning to work after the birth, she felt unable to devote the necessary attention to both her family and the intensive job. Leavitt thanked Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for their support during her tenure.
Steven Cheung, White House director of communications, praised Leavitt’s loyalty and dedication in a statement on X, calling her “fiercely loyal” and “unflappable.” He noted that while it is a “sad day,” the team wished her well and left the door open for future collaboration.
Leavitt has been a fixture in Trump’s inner circle since 2019. She initially worked in the office of presidential correspondence before transitioning to the press team. After Trump left office in 2021, she pursued a congressional seat in New Hampshire, winning the Republican primary in 2022 but ultimately losing in the midterm elections. Following her electoral defeat, she worked for the campaign group Maga Inc and rejoined Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, returning to the White House press secretary role in January 2023.
Throughout her service, Leavitt was known for her confrontational exchanges with the media, notably responding sharply to reporters’ questions and calling out journalists she viewed as biased. Her tenure featured moments of tension, including a widely publicized exchange where she mocked a reporter’s question and labeled the journalist a “Left-wing hack.”
While Trump has dismissed several senior officials during his second term, he had previously insisted that Leavitt would not be replaced, praising her communication style. In 2024, Leavitt took just four days’ maternity leave following the birth of her first child, Niko, returning to work immediately after an assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer 32 years her senior, whom she has described as her “greatest supporter” and “best friend.” Their marriage last year drew public attention due to the age difference, which Leavitt has acknowledged as an “atypical love story.”