White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to leave role to focus on family

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced she will step down at the end of the month to spend time with her young children, President Donald Trump said in a social media post, describing her as one of his most trusted aides.

Leavitt, 28, became the youngest person to hold the White House press secretary role last year. She returned from maternity leave last month after welcoming a daughter in May and also has a two-year-old son.

In her message on X, Leavitt said serving as press secretary has been “the honor and adventure of a lifetime” and that since returning from maternity leave she felt she could not both meet the demands of the role and be the mother her children deserve, which led to her decision to depart and start a new chapter.

Trump said Leavitt will continue as a top outside advisor and an influential voice within the Republican Party. It was not immediately clear who will replace her.

Before serving as press secretary, Leavitt worked in the Trump administration during his first term as an assistant press secretary and speechwriter, later served as communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022, and served as national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The statements in the source text note Leavitt’s departure timing, her reason citing family priorities after returning from maternity leave, Trump’s description of her role going forward, and that no replacement was immediately identified.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Karoline Leavitt will leave the White House press secretary position at the end of the month to focus on her children.
• Leavitt, 28, returned from maternity leave last month after having a daughter in May and also has a two-year-old son.
• President Trump said she will serve as a top outside advisor and no immediate successor has been named.