Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday that she will resign as White House Press Secretary at the end of August, citing the demanding nature of the role and her desire to focus on her young family.
Leavitt, 28, gave birth to her second child in May and had returned from maternity leave on July 16. She described the decision as "bittersweet," stating on X that she could not be the mother her children deserve while fulfilling the responsibilities of the press secretary position.
"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 wrote. "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 Donald Trump expressed his understanding and respect for Leavitt's decision, calling her "one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office" in a post on Truth Social. He added that Leavitt would continue to serve as a "top outside adviser" and an "influential voice" for the Republican Party as the administration prepares for midterm elections in November.
Leavitt, one of the youngest individuals to hold the press secretary role, has been a close confidante of Trump. She has participated in classified briefings in the Situation Room and advised on significant crises, which is an uncommon role for a press secretary.
Her tenure at the briefing room lectern was characterized by a combative style, often mirroring Trump's approach to journalists by criticizing "fake news" and challenging reporters.
Leavitt joined Trump's administration in 2018, initially as a writer and later as an assistant White House press secretary. She served as communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik from 2021 to 2022 before rejoining Trump's presidential campaign as a national press secretary in 2024. She was appointed White House Press Secretary upon Trump's return to office.
Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer. The couple has a two-year-old son, Niko, and a three-month-old daughter, Vivi.