White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will resign from her post by the end of August 2026 to spend more time with her family. President Donald Trump announced the departure on Truth Social, stating that Leavitt will transition to a role as a top outside adviser.
At just 28 years old, Karoline Leavitt holds the distinction of being the youngest White House press secretary in history. Her departure comes after returning to the White House following the birth of her second child with her husband, real estate developer Nicholas Riccio. She gave birth to her daughter, Viviana, on May 1, 2026, after going on maternity leave.
Personal Priorities and the Demanding Pace of the Press Office
Balancing high-stakes government work with a newborn ultimately shaped Leavitt’s decision to step down from the demanding daily briefing room schedule. In a post shared on X, Leavitt described the intense pressure of combining motherhood with her official duties.
“Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least.”
“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,”
Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, via CNBC
Leavitt has served as White House press secretary since the beginning of the president’s second term in January 2025. During Trump’s first term spanning from January 2017 to January 2021, the administration cycled through four different press secretaries.
Transition to Outside Advisor and Midterm Elections Strategy
Rather than leaving the political sphere entirely, Leavitt will pivot to an external strategic role. President Trump announced the planned departure on Truth Social, expressing full support for her choice.
“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, a decision I totally understand and respect!”
President Donald Trump, via CBS News
Trump added that Leavitt will operate as one of my top outside advisors,
guiding messaging and serving as an influential voice within the Republican Party as the organization prepares for the midterm elections in November. The president wrote on Truth Social: “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.”
Praise from the Administration and Unresolved Succession Questions
President Trump highlighted Leavitt’s tenure by pointing to her deep involvement in past campaign efforts. He noted that she has been fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom since 2018, stating that she has been doing a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024.
Trump also praised her impact, writing that Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!
Leavitt confirmed that she will remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party from her external advisory position, noting: 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.
As August draws to a close, the White House has not yet announced who will take over the podium permanently or who will manage press briefings during an interim period, with CBS News noting that it is not yet clear who the next White House press secretary will be, or who will fill in during the interim.
