Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Karoline Leavitt Exits White House Press Role Without Successor
Karoline Leavitt finished her job as the White House press secretary on August 27.
The press secretary explains the president’s actions and answers questions from reporters.
The White House praised Leavitt for strongly defending President Donald Trump and his policies.
She sometimes had sharp arguments with journalists and called some questions or reporters unfair.
She also allowed podcasts and online news outlets to attend briefings.
Leavitt discussed topics such as immigration, trade, foreign policy and the economy.
She delayed maternity leave after an attempted assassination of Trump so she could continue answering questions.
Trump has not officially chosen the next press secretary.
During an interview, he jokingly suggested Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams might be able to do the job.
Karoline Leavitt completed her final day as White House press secretary on Thursday, August 27, after more than 19 months in the role.
The White House described Leavitt as the 36th and youngest person to serve as press secretary and praised her defense of Donald Trump’s “America First agenda.”
Her tenure included confrontational exchanges with reporters and briefings on immigration, the economy, trade, foreign policy and domestic issues.
Leavitt expanded briefing-room access to podcasts, online platforms and other new media outlets, and delayed maternity leave after Trump’s attempted assassination.
Trump has not officially named a successor but suggested Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams could take the position.
- Who
- Karoline Leavitt left the White House press secretary position; Donald Trump suggested Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams as a possible successor.
- What
- Leavitt ended her tenure, creating a vacancy while Trump has not officially appointed a replacement.
- When
- Her final day was Thursday, August 27; the reports were published August 28, 2026.
- Where
- The change concerns the White House press secretary role and the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
- Why
- Trump referenced Leavitt’s decision to prioritize her two young children, although the White House release did not include a statement from Leavitt explaining her departure.
White House Praise
Reported Criticism and Uncertainty
Leavitt’s communication style
White House Praise
The White House praised Leavitt for defending Donald Trump and the “America First agenda,” describing her tenure as marked by command and clarity.
Reported Criticism and Uncertainty
The White House’s own farewell release highlighted confrontational exchanges in which Leavitt called a reporter a “left-wing hack” and described a question as “stupid.”
Briefing-room access
White House Praise
The administration credited Leavitt with opening briefings to podcasts, online platforms and other new media, arguing that Trump’s message should reach audiences beyond traditional outlets.
Reported Criticism and Uncertainty
The change altered traditional seating and questioning arrangements that had historically favored established news organizations; the reports do not provide their response.
Departure and succession
White House Praise
Trump praised Leavitt as one of the best press secretaries in the office’s history and suggested Alexis McAdams could perform the job.
Reported Criticism and Uncertainty
The White House has not officially named a successor, provided a date for the next appointment or said what Leavitt will do next.
- Outgoing official
- Karoline Leavitt
- Position
- White House press secretary
- Final day
- Thursday, August 27
- Tenure
- More than 19 months
- Position distinction
- The White House identified Leavitt as the 36th and youngest person to hold the role.
- Briefing-room changes
- She expanded access to podcasts, online platforms and other new media outlets.
- Potential successor
- Trump suggested Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams, but no successor has been officially named.
