Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, announced her resignation Thursday, a move that surprised Washington insiders and comes less than three months before the midterm elections.
Leavitt, 28, stated that her decision to leave was "bittersweet" and stemmed from her desire to be more present for her two young children. "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," Leavitt wrote on X.
President Donald Trump, who had reportedly urged Leavitt to stay, said he "totally understand[s] and respect[s]" her decision. He called Leavitt "one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office" and noted that she would remain a "top outside adviser" and "influential voice" in the Republican Party.
Leavitt returned from maternity leave last month after giving birth to her daughter in May, her second child in two years. Sources indicated she returned early at Trump's insistence.
Leavitt was at Trump's side on Friday as he traveled to New York to speak at a police academy. She was seen observing Trump address reporters at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One.
Known for her assertive style at the podium, Leavitt frequently echoed Trump's rhetoric, often challenging journalists and what she termed "fake news." She joined Trump's orbit in 2018, serving as a presidential writer and later an assistant White House press secretary. From 2021 to 2022, she was the communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik, a close Trump ally. She then joined Trump's 2024 re-election campaign as a national press secretary before being named White House Press Secretary upon his return to office.
No replacement for Leavitt has been announced. Alina Habba, a former lawyer for Trump, is considered a likely candidate.
Leavitt is married to real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, 60. The couple has a two-year-old son, Niko, and a three-month-old daughter, Vivi. Leavitt's departure follows that of one of her top deputies, Abigail Jackson, who left the White House for the private sector two weeks prior.