White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave the administration at the end of August to focus on her family while continuing to serve as an outside adviser to President Donald Trump, the president announced Wednesday.
Leavitt, 28, said the decision was “bittersweet” and came after concluding that the demands of the job made it difficult to be the mother she wants to be to her two young children, according to Fox News.
“Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” Leavitt wrote in a post on Twitter.
Leavitt, who recently returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her second child in May, said balancing motherhood with one of the White House’s most demanding positions ultimately drove her decision.
Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for granting me so many extraordinary opportunities, such as working in the West Wing and spending countless hours… https://t.co/4jyW61DGGh pic.twitter.com/xny1yccuBn
— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) August 12, 2026
“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 said she will remain active in Trump’s political operation.
“President Trump has asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside, and I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party,” she wrote. “My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over.”
Trump praised Leavitt as “one of my most trusted aides” and said he supported her decision to spend more time with her family.
“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 said.
So did White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who called her the greatest.
Karoline, you have been nothing short of extraordinary. You have taken on one of the toughest jobs in Washington with confidence, discipline, grace and an unmatched ability to deliver the President’s message. Simply put, you are the greatest @PressSec .
But what has been equally… pic.twitter.com/68ypKUvrr7
— Susie Wiles (@SusieWiles47) August 12, 2026
Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in history when Trump returned to office in January 2025. She previously served as national press secretary for his 2024 campaign and worked in the White House press office during his first term.
Vice President JD Vance also praised Leavitt, calling her “one of the most effective voices in articulating and defending the President’s agenda.”
“We’re sad to see her go, but I know she’ll continue to do great things,” Vance said.
Trump has not announced who will replace Leavitt as press secretary.
