Karoline Leavitt, the youngest individual to serve as White House Press Secretary, announced Wednesday that she will be stepping down from her position at the end of the month. Leavitt, 28, cited the demanding nature of the role and her desire to prioritize her two young children as the primary reasons for her decision. She stated that she cannot effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the White House Press Secretary while also being the mother her children deserve.
Leavitt returned to her role on July 16, just weeks after giving birth to her daughter in May. She also has a two-year-old son with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. Insiders suggest that the decision to leave has been in the works for months, with Leavitt reportedly contemplating her departure during her maternity leave. President Trump frequently contacted her during this period, expressing his desire for her return.
Sources close to Leavitt described the past few weeks since her return as extremely stressful and indicative of severe burnout. One insider noted her commitment to maintaining performance while balancing the intense demands of the job with sleepless nights, leading to her decision to stay as long as possible. Another source indicated that Leavitt realized quickly upon her return that she needed to step down, expressing that she was "not feeling it anymore."
President Trump acknowledged Leavitt's departure on Truth Social, stating he "totally understand[s] and respect[s]" her decision. He praised her as "one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office" and announced that she will continue to serve as a "top outside adviser" and an "influential voice" within the Republican Party. Leavitt, who joined Trump's orbit in 2018, previously served as a presidential writer, assistant White House press secretary, and press secretary for Trump's 2024 campaign.
Her tenure as press secretary saw her wield significant access, participating in classified Situation Room meetings and advising on crisis strategy, including the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Leavitt's exit leaves a vacancy at a critical juncture for the administration, with the upcoming midterm elections and ongoing economic and foreign policy challenges. The search for her successor is reportedly underway, with no clear candidate yet identified.