Karoline Leavitt Steps Down as White House Press Secretary

WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position at the end of August, bringing an end to a high-profile tenure that made her one of the most recognizable voices of President Donald Trump’s second administration.

President Trump announced Leavitt’s upcoming departure Wednesday, August 12, saying the 28-year-old will leave the demanding White House position to spend more time with her young family. Leavitt recently returned from maternity leave following the birth of her second child. (AP News)

Her departure is expected at the end of August.

Leavitt described the decision as “bittersweet,” according to reports, as she balances public service with raising two children under the age of three. While she is leaving the daily role of White House press secretary, she is not expected to disappear from Trump’s political orbit. Trump said she will remain involved as an outside adviser and influential Republican voice. (AP News)

A Historic Tenure Behind the White House Podium

Leavitt made history when she became the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history following Trump’s return to office in January 2025.

She quickly became one of the administration’s most visible officials, regularly defending Trump’s policies, challenging reporters and helping reshape the White House’s relationship with traditional and emerging media organizations. (Reuters)

The administration expanded access to the briefing room for newer digital outlets, influencers and nontraditional media organizations during Leavitt’s tenure — part of a broader effort to reach audiences outside traditional television networks and newspapers. (Reuters)

That strategy earned praise from supporters who viewed it as modernization of White House communications, while critics and press advocates questioned the administration’s approach to traditional news organizations.

Motherhood Became Part of Leavitt’s White House Story

Leavitt’s departure comes only weeks after she returned to the White House briefing room following maternity leave.

Her daughter, Viviana, was born May 1, making Leavitt the first sitting White House press secretary to give birth while serving in the position. (The Washington Post)

She returned to the podium in July and openly discussed the challenge of managing one of the most demanding communications jobs in American politics while raising two very young children.

During her first full briefing after returning from maternity leave, Leavitt was asked about balancing motherhood and her career.

Rather than suggesting there was a simple formula, she emphasized continuing to show up and move forward while crediting her husband for supporting their family. (ABC17NEWS)

Only weeks later, that balance appears to have played a major role in her decision to leave the position.

Trump Praises Leavitt as She Prepares to Leave

Trump praised Leavitt following the announcement and indicated that their professional relationship will continue after she leaves the West Wing.

According to Reuters, Trump described Leavitt as one of the best press secretaries in White House history and said she would continue serving as an external communications adviser and supporter of his political movement. (Reuters)

Leavitt has worked closely with Trump for years.

Before becoming press secretary, she served in Trump’s first administration, worked as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik and later became a prominent spokesperson during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. She also ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022. (AP News)

Her ability to communicate Trump’s message on television, social media and from the White House podium helped elevate her national political profile considerably.

Leavitt Recently Returned From Maternity Leave

The timing of the announcement is particularly notable because Leavitt only recently resumed regular press duties.

She began maternity leave in late April and returned to hold her first full White House briefing on July 16. (ABC17NEWS)

At that briefing, she described her position as more than simply a job, characterizing it as public service.

Her second maternity experience was considerably different from her first.

After the birth of her son in July 2024, Leavitt returned to work just days later amid the presidential campaign following the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. (ABC17NEWS)

This time, she took a longer leave before ultimately deciding that maintaining the full-time White House role was no longer the right balance for her family.

Who Will Replace Karoline Leavitt?

As of Wednesday evening, the White House had not announced Leavitt’s replacement. (AP News)

Whoever assumes the position will inherit one of the most demanding communications jobs in Washington while entering the White House during an important political stretch ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The next press secretary will also inherit a communications operation that has increasingly blended traditional press briefings with podcasts, digital creators, social-media platforms and other alternative media channels.

Leavitt Isn’t Leaving Politics

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Wednesday’s announcement is that Leavitt appears to be leaving the White House position — not politics altogether.

Trump has already indicated that she will remain an adviser from outside the administration. (AP News)

At only 28 years old and with an extraordinarily high national profile, Leavitt could remain a significant figure inside Republican politics for years to come.

Her next chapter could ultimately include political consulting, media, campaign work or another run for elected office, although no specific future role beyond outside advisory work has been announced.

For now, however, Leavitt says the decision is about something much closer to home: her family.

After becoming the youngest White House press secretary in American history, navigating a presidential campaign, a second Trump administration and the birth of her second child, Karoline Leavitt will walk away from the White House podium at the end of August — while remaining firmly connected to the political movement that helped make her one of the most recognizable young conservatives in America.