White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on August 12, 2026, that she will step down by the close of the month, shifting to an external advisory role focused on the midterm elections. President Donald Trump described her as among his most dependable staffers.
At 28, Leavitt holds the distinction of being the youngest individual to occupy the White House press secretary post, a role she assumed when Trump began his second term in January 2025. Both she and the president confirmed the move through individual social media statements.
From Campaign Trail to Briefing Room
Before taking the podium, Leavitt’s trajectory ran through multiple corners of Trump’s orbit. During his original presidency, she worked within the White House press operation. She subsequently joined New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik as communications director. A 2022 congressional bid in New Hampshire saw her win the Republican primary but lose the general contest to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. She later became a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a fundraising organization supporting Trump, then joined his 2024 presidential race as national press secretary.
As press secretary, she adopted an aggressive posture toward mainstream media. In February 2025, her office stripped the White House Correspondents’ Association of authority over organizing the White House press pool and temporarily barred the Associated Press from briefings when the outlet declined to use the phrase “Gulf of America” in its reporting. Admirers praised her unwavering message discipline and vigorous defense of administration initiatives during contentious questioning.
Departure Driven by Family Demands
On May 1, Leavitt welcomed her second child, a daughter she and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, named Viviana. She took maternity leave and returned to briefing room duties on July 16, barely a month before announcing her resignation.
In her X post, Leavitt explained that the demands of caring for her newborn daughter and her two-year-old son, combined with the grueling nature of the press secretary position, made it impossible to give her full attention to both responsibilities. She characterized her decision as “bittersweet.”
Despite leaving the West Wing, she emphasized she would not abandon political engagement. Trump requested she continue as a senior outside adviser, and she pledged to remain a vocal champion for the MAGA movement and the Republican Party. “My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over,” she added.
President Endorses Transition to Advisory Role
Trump applauded her loyalty and communication abilities, expressing support for her choice while outlining plans to retain her involvement. “Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, saying he expects her to assist the party in securing victories during the forthcoming midterm contests.
Conservative commentator and Fox host Riley Gaines praised Leavitt’s performance in the role. “Karoline Leavitt is so good at her job,” Gaines wrote.
Tenure and Historical Context
Leavitt’s resignation marks a significant milestone. She will rank as the second longest-serving press secretary across Trump’s two terms, trailing only Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who held the position during his first administration. Trump employed four press secretaries between January 2017 and January 2021, making Leavitt the fifth chief spokesperson spanning both administrations.
As of the August 12 announcement, no replacement had been named publicly. Who will take over podium responsibilities when she departs at month’s end remains undisclosed. “Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” she wrote, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and signaling continued public involvement ahead.
