Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary and a prominent voice in the Trump administration, will step down to devote more time to her family, the two officials said Wednesday.
In a social media post, President Trump said Ms. Leavitt, who recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her second child, will depart at month’s end to focus on her young children—a decision he said he “totally understands and respects.”
He added that she will serve as one of his top outside advisers and praised her as “one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office.”
Her resignation arrives at a pivotal moment for the administration, as President Trump confronts numerous foreign and domestic challenges and approaches the November midterm elections, where his policy agenda will require strong advocacy—a role for which Ms. Leavitt had been among the most effective defenders.
Trump said she will remain “an influential voice within the Republican Party as we work to defy history and win the midterm elections decisively.” He offered no replacement or timeline for filling the position.
At 28, Ms. Leavitt became the youngest individual to hold the press secretary position, having previously served in President Trump’s first term and on his campaign. In a social media post announcing her departure, she described the role over the past year and a half as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.”
“Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least,” she continued.
“Since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House press secretary,” she said. “That is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to leave the White House and begin a new chapter in my life.”
She added that she will “always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party” and will stay on the front lines of the party’s fight against what she described as an “existential threat” posed by Democrats.
“My fight is entering a new phase,” she added, “but it is far from over.”
President Trump has rotated through four press secretaries during his first four years in office, and Ms. Leavitt was noted for her ability to manage his expectations.
She previously served in the White House as an assistant press secretary and in the Office of Presidential Correspondence during Trump’s first term. In 2022 she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning the Republican primary but falling short against a Democratic incumbent. She also worked as a spokeswoman for Representative Elise Stefanik of New York.
She quickly rose to become one of President Trump’s most loyal allies and fiercest defenders, making a notable debut in January 2025 at the age of 27.
Ms. Leavitt frequently criticized mainstream media, challenging unfavorable coverage of President Trump’s policies and often echoing his statements, even when they were false, reflecting his combative approach toward journalists.
During briefings, she answered rapid‑fire questions using talking points supplied by the president. She also appeared regularly on conservative television, speaking directly to the American public.
President Trump frequently praised her performance, commenting that her lips “move like a machine gun” and once pledging she would “never” be replaced. In a November meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Trump called on Ms. Leavitt to respond to reporters; after she rebuked them, he said Mr. Orban expressed interest in hiring her.
Since returning in mid‑July, Ms. Leavitt has appeared less frequently in the briefing room than she did before taking maternity leave in April and giving birth to a second daughter in May. While she was on leave, the briefings were filled by high‑profile stand‑ins, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
When she resumed her duties at the lectern in July, Ms. Leavitt opened her remarks with, “Let’s get back to work.”
Her first exchange focused on how she balances the demanding responsibilities of serving the president with raising two children.
“I don’t think there is a secret,” she said. “You just have to show up every day and keep going.”