White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will be stepping down from the Trump administration at the end of August just months after having her second child, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday.
Leavitt will be leaving the role, which she has held for the entirety of Trump’s second term so far, to spend more time with her family, the president said. Leavitt had just returned to the position in mid-July, roughly two months after giving birth to her second child.
“Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections,” Trump wrote in the social media post. “Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.”
Leavitt confirmed her resignation in a statement, noting the decision stemmed from the birth of her second child in May.
“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.”
Leavitt youngest press secretary in U.S. history
Trump tapped Leavitt as the White House press secretary shortly after winning the 2024 election, making her the youngest person to assume the role in U.S. history. Leavitt was 27 years old when she started the position.
Leavitt served as an assistant White House press secretary during Trump’s first term, and she was a national press secretary for his second presidential campaign.
Leavitt announced last year she was having her second child after giving birth to her son in July 2024. She gave birth to her daughter in May 2026, making her the first White House press secretary to be pregnant while serving in the position.
It’s not yet clear who will replace Leavitt when she departs the administration. During her maternity leave this summer, top administration officials such as Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made guest appearances during media briefings.