A Surprise Announcement
The news came directly from the president. In his post, Trump said Leavitt, 28, would step down at month's end and transition into a role as "an influential voice within the Republican Party" ahead of the midterm elections.
The White House, when reached for comment, pointed to the statements from Leavitt and Trump.
Her Reason: Motherhood
Leavitt was candid about why she is walking away from one of the most visible jobs in American politics. Serving as press secretary while becoming a mother and welcoming a new baby "has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least," she said in a post.
"The truth is 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 wrote.
Even in her farewell statement, the combative style that defined her tenure showed through. She took aim at Democrats who she said seek "to destroy everything great about America."
The Youngest Ever at the Podium
Leavitt made history the day she took the job, becoming the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary. She followed Trump from his presidential campaign into the West Wing and built a reputation as a fiercely loyal defender of the administration.
Her tenure spanned the biggest stories of Trump's second term so far: the Signalgate scandal, the release of the Epstein files and the Iran war.
She also championed the administration's reshaping of the press corps. Leavitt framed the changes, which opened briefings to influencers and MAGA-friendly voices, as expanding access to the White House rather than limiting it.
What Happens to the Job Now
The press secretary role is a direct presidential appointment with no Senate confirmation required, so Trump can install a successor as quickly as he chooses one. No replacement has been named yet.
Turnover at the podium is nothing new for this president. Trump went through four press secretaries during his first term.
What Comes Next
Leavitt trades the briefing room for the campaign trail's edges, advising Trump from outside the building as Republicans gear up for the midterms. The bigger question is who inherits one of the toughest communications jobs in Washington, and whether they can match the profile of the youngest press secretary ever to hold it.
FAQ
Why is Karoline Leavitt stepping down as press secretary?
She says she wants to focus on her family, writing that she cannot be the mother her two young children deserve while meeting the demands of the job.
When does she leave?
At the end of the month, according to President Trump's announcement.
What will she do next?
Trump says she will become one of his top outside advisers and "an influential voice within the Republican Party" heading into the midterm elections.
Who picks the next press secretary?
The president chooses directly. The position does not require Senate confirmation.
How old is Karoline Leavitt?
She is 28 and was the youngest White House press secretary in history.
