White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping down from her role at the end of August, President Donald Trump has announced.
Mr Trump said Ms Leavitt, 28, would remain one of his senior outside advisers and continue to play an influential role within the Republican Party.
“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family,” Mr Trump said on social media.
“Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party.”
Ms Leavitt, the youngest person to serve as a top White House spokesperson, has been one of Mr Trump’s most outspoken defenders.
She became known for combative briefings in which she frequently challenged journalists and defended the president’s policies.
Announcing her departure, Ms Leavitt said she was grateful to Mr Trump for giving her the opportunity to speak for his administration.
“I am thankful to the President for entrusting me with the distinct privilege of speaking on his behalf at the White House podium,” she said.
“I have relished holding the liberal media accountable and ensuring the American people hear the truth about President Trump’s successes.”
Ms Leavitt said her decision was driven by her family responsibilities after the birth of her second child, Viviana, in May.
“After 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,” she said.
Her departure comes only weeks after she returned from maternity leave and as Mr Trump faces declining poll numbers ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections.
From Trump aide to White House podium
Ms Leavitt first worked in Mr Trump’s White House during his first presidency before becoming a spokesperson during his campaign to return to office.
She later gained prominence through forceful television appearances and became a prominent figure in the Republican Party’s media strategy.
Her tenure also brought significant changes to the White House’s relationship with journalists.
The administration announced that the White House, rather than an independent press association, would determine which journalists could accompany Mr Trump in settings such as the Oval Office and Air Force One.
Ms Leavitt also expanded access for right-wing and pro-Trump media organisations, reducing the dominance of traditional news outlets in some White House media engagements.
She grew up in New Hampshire, where her family ran an ice-cream shop, and became politically active while at university.
After Mr Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in New Hampshire on a strongly pro-Trump platform.
She later became a prominent campaign surrogate during Mr Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign.
Ms Leavitt has previously indicated that she intends to remain active in politics.
“Our country is facing an existential threat from an increasingly extremist Democrat Party that seeks to destroy everything great about America,” she said.
“My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over.”
