Karoline Leavitt, the former White House Press Secretary under Donald Trump, has reflected on her recent resignation, sharing a personal moment with her young son. Leavitt, 28, announced her departure earlier this week, stating her desire to spend more time with her family.
On Thursday evening, Leavitt posted to her Instagram Stories a photograph of herself holding her two-year-old son, Niko, while watching a news clip about her exit. "When he grows up, I have so many stories to tell him about all we have been through," she wrote. Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, also have a three-month-old daughter, Viviana.
Leavitt gave birth to her second child in early May and returned from maternity leave on July 16. She described her decision to leave as "bittersweet," acknowledging the profound challenges of her role.
"Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least," Leavitt stated in a post on X. "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 – and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life."
President Trump publicly supported Leavitt's decision, calling it one he "totally understands and respects" and praising her as "one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office." He indicated that she would continue to serve as an "outside adviser" and "influential voice" for the Republican Party.
Sources close to Leavitt suggest her decision to resign had been contemplated for months and was a difficult one. One insider indicated that Leavitt had been weighing her options during maternity leave, as the President frequently inquired about her return. Another source described Leavitt experiencing significant "burnout" in the weeks following her return to work, noting her commitment to maintaining performance standards while managing sleep deprivation and family responsibilities.
Reports indicate that upon her return from maternity leave, Leavitt quickly realized the untenable nature of her position. The President reportedly made significant efforts to retain her, valuing her trust and effectiveness.
Leavitt's announcement included several photographs, one of which appeared to be digitally altered using AI. The image depicted Leavitt and Trump outside the White House, with alterations noted in her facial features and body shape compared to an original Getty photograph. The post included an "made with AI" marker.