White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, President Trump announced this week in a post on Truth Social. The departure comes less than a month after Leavitt returned from maternity leave following the birth of her second child, and just under three months before the 2026 midterm elections.
How the Announcement Came Together
Trump described Leavitt as one of his most trusted aides, saying she would be stepping away "so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family," and adding that he understood and respected the decision. According to reporting on the announcement, Trump had personally asked Leavitt not to leave before ultimately accepting her decision. In her own statement, Leavitt said Trump had asked her to continue serving as a top outside adviser and that she would remain a vocal advocate for the Republican Party heading into the midterms.
Vice President JD Vance also responded publicly, calling the press secretary role one of the hardest jobs in the administration and noting how difficult, yet rewarding, that kind of demanding position can be for a young parent.
A Return From Maternity Leave, Then a Quick Exit
Leavitt gave birth to her second child on May 1 and stepped away from the White House briefing room for several weeks afterward. During her leave, the administration did not name an interim press secretary, instead relying on other senior officials, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, to handle briefings in her absence. Briefings became noticeably less frequent during that stretch.
Leavitt returned to the podium in July, but her tenure back in the role turned out to be short-lived. Her decision echoes a pattern from earlier in her career: during the 2024 campaign, she gave birth to her first child and returned to work just four days into her leave, following the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. This time, she said balancing the demands of the job with two young children pushed her toward a different decision.
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Leavitt's Path to the Podium
Leavitt, 28, is the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary. She first joined Trump's political operation in 2020 as an assistant press secretary during his first administration. After leaving government, she ran unsuccessfully for a U.S. House seat in her home state of New Hampshire in 2022. She later worked as a spokeswoman for MAGA Inc., Trump's super PAC, before becoming national press secretary for his 2024 presidential campaign. Trump named her White House press secretary shortly after winning that election, and she has held the role since his second term began in January 2025.
What She Defended From the Podium
During her time as press secretary, Leavitt served as the administration's primary public defender through several of the most difficult stretches of Trump's second term, including the fallout from the Signal group-chat controversy involving senior officials, the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, and the U.S. military's involvement in the conflict with Iran. She was also known for a combative approach with reporters and had previously told Axios that the administration wanted to expand press access to include influencers and other MAGA-aligned voices rather than limit the briefing room to traditional outlets.
In her departure statement, Leavitt didn't soften her tone, taking a swipe at Democrats and accusing them of seeking to undermine the country — a sign that even in her final weeks, she intended to keep the same sharp-edged style that defined her time at the podium.
What Happens Next
As of the announcement, neither Trump nor Leavitt had named a successor, and White House staff reportedly didn't have immediate clarity on who would take over. Whoever replaces her will step into the role heading directly into the final stretch of the midterm campaign, a period that typically brings heightened scrutiny of the administration's messaging and policy defense.
Leavitt, for her part, is expected to remain active in Republican politics from outside the administration, a role that gives her more flexibility while keeping her connected to the party's midterm strategy.
FAQ
When is Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House?
She is set to leave her role as press secretary at the end of August 2026.
Why is she leaving?
Leavitt said the decision was driven by wanting to spend more time with her two young children after recently returning from maternity leave.
Will she still work with Trump?
Yes. Trump said she'll continue as one of his top outside advisers and remain active within the Republican Party ahead of the midterms.
Who filled in for Leavitt during her maternity leave?
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent handled briefings while she was out.
Who will replace her as press secretary?
No successor had been named as of the announcement.
How long did Leavitt serve as press secretary?
She has held the role since Trump's second term began in January 2025, making her the youngest person to ever serve as White House press secretary.
Sparrow World News will continue following developments from the White House and the 2026 midterm elections.