Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Karoline Leavitt to leave White House Press Secretary role
The most important spokesperson for the president, Karoline Leavitt, is leaving her job at the White House.
Her job was to stand at a podium and answer questions from reporters.
She is leaving at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children.
She is the youngest person ever to have this job.
She is also the first press secretary to have a baby while working in the role.
The president says she will still help him from the outside as an advisor.
Now the White House must choose someone new for her job.
Several people, including her deputy, are being considered.
The new spokesperson will have a big job ahead of the November elections.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down at the end of August, months before the November 2026 US midterm elections.
President Donald Trump announced her exit on Truth Social, saying she will spend more time with her family and become one of his top outside advisors.
Leavitt, 28, is the youngest press secretary in US history and the first to give birth while serving in the role, welcoming daughter Viviana in May.
Her 20-month tenure featured a new media seat, an overhaul of the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) pool system, and a combative briefing style.
No successor has been named; candidates include Anna Kelly, Steven Cheung, Tricia McLaughlin, Jason Miller, and Alina Habba.
- Who
- Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, with President Donald Trump announcing her departure; potential successors include Anna Kelly, Steven Cheung, Tricia McLaughlin, Jason Miller, Alina Habba, and Kari Lake.
- What
- Leavitt will step down at the end of August and become a top outside advisor to Trump, ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
- When
- End of August, months before the November 2026 US midterm elections.
- Where
- The White House (West Wing press office).
- Why
- To spend more time with her two young children and family; she will remain a senior outside advisor ahead of the midterms.
- Departure date
- End of August
- Tenure
- 20 months
- Age
- 28
- Reason for leaving
- Spend more time with her two young children and family
- Next role
- Top outside advisor to Trump and an influential voice in the Republican Party
- Historic firsts
- Youngest press secretary in US history; first to give birth while serving in the role
- Successor
- Not yet named; announcement expected before the end of the month
- Challenges ahead
- November 2026 midterm elections, cost-of-living messaging, and foreign policy tensions involving Iran