White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping down at the end of the month after deciding the demands of the job no longer allow her to give her two young children the time they deserve. President Donald Trump announced the move in a Truth Social post, calling Leavitt one of his most trusted aides.
Leavitt confirmed the decision in a lengthy post on X, calling her time as press secretary “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She thanked Trump for bringing her into the West Wing, allowing her to travel with the administration and giving her the privilege of speaking from the White House podium.
“Most of all, I am thankful to the President for entrusting me with the distinct privilege of speaking on his behalf at the White House podium,” Leavitt wrote. She said she was proud to defend the administration’s accomplishments, hold the liberal media accountable and ensure Americans heard about Trump’s successes.
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
Leavitt said the choice ultimately came down to her family. After returning to the White House following the birth of her daughter, she said she realized she could not fully meet the constant demands of the press secretary role while being the mother she wants to be to both of her children.
“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,” Leavitt wrote. She called leaving the White House a “bittersweet decision” and said she is beginning a new chapter.
Trump said he understood and respected Leavitt’s decision to spend more time with her family. “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,” Trump wrote.
Leavitt said she will not be disappearing from Trump-world or Republican politics. Trump has asked her to remain a top adviser from outside the White House, and she said she will continue speaking out for MAGA and the GOP.
“My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over,” Leavitt said. Her departure ends a high-profile run at the briefing-room podium, but it also signals that she plans to remain a major voice in the party heading into the midterms.