Trump Says White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Will Leave Post at End of August

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, marking a major change in the administration’s communications team.

Trump announced the departure on Wednesday, saying Leavitt was stepping down to spend more time with her young children and family. He described her as one of his “most trusted aides” and said he understood and respected her decision.

Leavitt, 28, is the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary. She has been the administration’s chief spokesperson since Trump returned to office in January 2025.

Although she is leaving the formal White House position, Trump said Leavitt would remain involved in his political operation.

The president said she would become one of his top outside advisers and continue to play an influential role within the Republican Party as the administration prepares for the upcoming midterm elections.

Leavitt’s departure comes shortly after she returned from maternity leave following the birth of her second child, a daughter, in May.

In her own statement, Leavitt said balancing the demanding press secretary position with raising her two young children had influenced her decision to leave the role. She described the move as a difficult but necessary transition for her family.

The White House has not yet announced who will replace Leavitt as press secretary.

Her departure comes at a politically significant period for the Trump administration, with the 2026 midterm elections approaching and the White House facing intense scrutiny over its domestic and foreign policies.

As press secretary, Leavitt became a prominent defender of Trump’s agenda during frequent briefings with reporters and appearances on television and social media.

Before taking the White House post, she worked on Trump’s 2024 campaign and served as communications director for Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik. She had also worked as a White House press aide during Trump’s first administration.

Leavitt’s exit will therefore represent both a personal transition and a significant change for Trump’s communications operation, although her continued role as an outside adviser means she is expected to remain closely connected to the president and his political movement.