Karoline Leavitt Ends Tenure as White House Press Secretary

Karoline Leavitt concluded her tenure as White House press secretary on Thursday, August 27, 2026, marking the end of a nearly 20-month tenure defined by a combative style and fierce loyalty to President Donald Trump. The 29-year-old, who became the youngest person to ever hold the position when she assumed it at age 27 in January 2025, cited a desire to spend more time with her two young children as the primary reason for her departure. Leavitt announced her resignation on August 12, just weeks after returning from maternity leave following the birth of her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May. In her final remarks to reporters outside the West Wing, she described the decision as "very bittersweet" and acknowledged the intense demands of the role. "The president deserves the press secretary who can be here on the clock, literally 24/7. That's what the job requires, and sometimes in life you just can't have it all at the same time," she said. In interviews on her last day, Leavitt praised Trump as "the best boss I have ever had," highlighting his supportive nature during her pregnancy and his sense of humor.