Karoline Leavitt is stepping down as White House press secretary at the end of August.
President Donald Trump announced her departure Wednesday, saying Leavitt wants to spend more time with her young children and family. He praised her work and said she will remain one of his top outside advisers.
Leavitt, 29, made history in 2025 as the youngest White House press secretary ever. She previously served as Trump’s 2024 campaign spokesperson and worked in his first administration.
After Trump’s announcement, Leavitt explained her decision on X, saying her two children are the reason she is stepping away.
She said that after returning from maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, she realized she could not be the mother her children deserve while also giving the White House press secretary job the constant time and energy it requires.
“I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve,” she wrote.
Leavitt called the decision bittersweet but said she is ready to begin a new chapter in her life.
It remains unclear who will replace her. During her maternity leave, officials including JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Scott Bessent handled White House press briefings.