White House correspondents are largely expressing positive sentiments following the announcement that Karoline Leavitt will step down as press secretary at the end of August. President Donald Trump revealed on Truth Social that Leavitt, 28, is leaving the role to focus on her family after more than 18 months.

Several reporters acknowledged Leavitt's effectiveness and accessibility, with some contrasting her tenure with previous administrations. Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, described Leavitt as a "very effective messenger for this administration" and noted that she was "very accessible and in the room with the president." Heinrich suggested this was a contrast to some Biden administration press secretaries.

NBC News White House correspondent Garrett Haake emphasized Leavitt's standing within the administration, writing on X that it was "impossible to overstate how much of an inner-circle figure Leavitt is in this White House, and how much the President trusts her as an advisor on any issue."

Other White House reporters echoed these sentiments. Daily Wire White House reporter Mary Margaret Olohan told Fox News Digital that Leavitt consistently called on a variety of reporters, including those from non-legacy outlets, and was helpful to new media. Olohan added that most colleagues respected Leavitt, even when she challenged their questions, and understood she played fair while being aggressive against duplicitous or malicious framing.

A second White House correspondent described Leavitt's job as a "huge" challenge requiring showmanship and people skills, noting she "knew how to communicate President Trump's message, but also how to work with the press, often in a non-confrontational and private manner." This reporter felt Leavitt was easier to work with than her predecessors in the Biden administration, whom they characterized as arrogant or lacking direct access to decision-makers.

However, not all assessments were uniformly positive. One White House correspondent reported an "icy relationship" with Leavitt, stemming from her time as a campaign spokesperson, and felt her reputation as an honest broker was lost. This reporter stated that the president's demand for 100% loyalty and repetition of his statements meant the press secretary's individual reputation was secondary.

During her tenure, Leavitt implemented changes to White House press briefings, including asserting the press office's role in determining which reporters and outlets were allowed in the daily press pool, a function historically managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association. She also introduced a "new media" seat, creating opportunities for podcasters, influencers, and independent journalists.

Leavitt's departure comes as a successor has yet to be named. She is expected to leave her post at the end of August.