Who is Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s ‘trusted aide‘ set to step down from White House?

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her role later this month, depriving U.S. President Donald Trump of his chief spokesperson less than three months before the November midterm elections. Ms. Leavitt has served as the press secretary since Mr. Trump returned to office in 2025.

Karoline Leavitt to step down

Mr. Trump announced the move on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) in a post on social media. He said Ms. Leavitt was stepping down to spend more time with her family and would “now be one of my top outside advisors”. She recently gave birth to her second child.

In a separate post, Ms. Leavitt said she was “incredibly grateful” for the opportunity to serve, but added that the position had placed significant demands on her family. She said Mr. Trump had asked her to continue as a “top advisor to him on the outside”.

“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,” she wrote.

Mr. Trump said Ms. 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, a decision I totally understand and respect! 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.”

The President did not immediately name a successor, and the White House did not respond to questions about who would replace her.

Trump’s ‘trusted aide’

Mr. Trump, then President-elect, announced on November 15, 2024, that Ms. Leavitt would serve as White House press secretary.

Ms. Leavitt succeeded Karine Jean-Pierre on January 20, 2025, when Mr. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. She had previously served as the Trump campaign’s national press secretary and worked in the first Trump administration as the assistant press secretary. While announcing her appointment, the President had said that she was smart, tough, and a highly effective communicator

Ms. Leavitt has been among the most prominent advocates of Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) campaign. Mr. Trump described her as “one of my most trusted aides”. 

Youngest White House press secretary

Ms. Leavitt, 28, became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when she assumed office last year. She previously worked as a junior spokesperson during Mr. Trump’s first term and later became a leading spokeswoman for his 2024 presidential campaign after an unsuccessful congressional bid in New Hampshire in 2022.

She recently returned to work following maternity leave after the birth of her second child, a daughter, in May. She also has a two-year-old son.

During Ms. Leavitt’s maternity leave in May, the White House held fewer press briefings and did not appoint an interim spokesperson. Instead, senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, conducted media briefings.

Combative approach towards media

During her tenure at the White House, Ms. Leavitt became known for her combative exchanges with the media and her staunch defence of the President.

During Mr. Trump’s first term, Ms. Leavitt served as a press aide in the White House press office before becoming the communications director to New York Republican Representative Elise Stefanik.

In his second term, with Ms. Leavitt as a key public advocate, the White House adopted an even more confrontational media strategy than during his first administration. While Mr. Trump frequently engaged directly with reporters at White House events and during official travel, Ms. Leavitt often appeared on Fox News and other conservative outlets to promote the administration’s agenda and criticise Democrats and mainstream media organisations.

Ms. Leavitt’s departure comes at a challenging time for the U.S. President, who is facing difficulties in finding a path forward on the conflict involving Iran, while also confronting concerns over the economy. These issues have weighed on the President’s approval ratings and raised concerns among Republicans about retaining control of Congress in the midterm elections.

(With inputs from agencies)