Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Karoline Leavitt to step down as White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt is a very important person in the United States government.
Her job was to talk to reporters and explain what the President wanted to say.
She is leaving that job at the end of August.
She wants to spend more time with her two young children.
Her daughter, Viviana, was born in May.
She was the youngest person ever to have this important job.
She talked about America's trade deal with India, where America lowered taxes on Indian goods and India promised to stop buying Russian oil and buy American oil instead.
She also talked about a fight between India and Pakistan and said America wanted them to stop fighting peacefully.
India said it worked out peace directly with Pakistan, not through America.
The President says she will still be a top advisor, just from outside the White House.
President Donald Trump announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her post at the end of August.
Leavitt is stepping down to spend more time with her young children and family, weeks after returning from maternity leave following the birth of her daughter Viviana in May.
Trump called her a 'real leader' and one of his 'most trusted aides,' saying she will become one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice in the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections.
In February 2026, Leavitt announced the US tariff cut on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, with India committing to stop buying Russian oil and to make $500 billion in US purchases and investments.
India rejected US claims that Trump mediated the May 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire, saying the understanding was reached directly between the two countries' military chiefs.
- Who
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who handled India-Pakistan outreach during the conflict.
- What
- Leavitt will leave her post at the end of August and become one of Trump's top outside advisors while remaining an influential voice in the Republican Party.
- When
- Announced Wednesday; Leavitt leaves her post at the end of August.
- Where
- The White House, where she served in the West Wing.
- Why
- She wants to spend more time with her young children and family; Trump said he 'totally' understands and respects the decision.
Official account
Counterclaims
Mediation of the India-Pakistan ceasefire
Official account
Leavitt's briefings and Trump's statements asserted a US mediating role; Trump claimed he told both sides, 'If you stop it, we're doing trade; if you don't, we're not.'
Counterclaims
India rejected the suggestion that a third party mediated the ceasefire, saying the understanding was reached directly between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.
Reason for Leavitt's departure
Official account
The official announcement by Trump said Leavitt is leaving voluntarily at the end of August to spend more time with her young children and family, a decision he said he 'totally' understands and respects.
Counterclaims
An unverified social media post claimed Leavitt was fired after calling Gen Z and the new voter base lazy and claiming the job market and economy are great, contradicting the official resignation announcement.
- Position
- White House Press Secretary (since January 2025)
- Departure
- End of August
- Reason
- Wants to spend more time with young children and family
- Daughter
- Viviana, born in May
- Record
- Youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary
- India-US tariff deal
- US tariff on Indian goods cut from 25% to 18%; India committed to stop buying Russian oil and make $500 billion in US purchases and investments
- Russian oil stance
- On March 10, the administration 'temporarily permitted' India to resume limited Russian oil imports after the Strait of Hormuz was virtually shut following US and Israeli attacks on Iran
- India-Pakistan conflict
- May 2025 ceasefire understanding reached after Operation Sindoor; India says it was agreed directly between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan
