Overview
- President Trump announced on Wednesday that Karoline Leavitt will leave the White House press secretary job at the end of August so she can spend more time with her two young children.
- Trump said Leavitt will move into a senior outside-adviser role and remain an influential Republican voice as the party prepares for the 2026 midterm elections.
- Leavitt returned to the briefing room in mid-July after taking maternity leave following the May birth of her second child and is the youngest person ever to hold the press secretary post.
- The White House has not named a successor and has not clarified who will handle regular briefings, leaving short-term questions about who will speak for the administration.
- Leavitt rose from campaign and transition roles to become one of the administration’s most visible defenders, and her shift to the outside could change how the White House coordinates messaging and campaign communications.