On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that Karoline Leavitt will leave her job as White House press secretary at the end of August. Trump said Leavitt is stepping away to spend more time with her family after welcoming her second child, a daughter, in May. Trump announced the change on Truth Social, praising Leavitt as one of his most trusted aides and saying she would remain a top outside adviser. He also credited Leavitt with helping defend his administration and support the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Why Is Karoline Leavitt Leaving? Leavitt explained on X that returning to the White House after giving birth made her realize the press secretary role demanded more time and attention than she could give while raising two young children. Leavitt described the decision as bittersweet and framed her departure as the beginning of a new personal and professional chapter. Leavitt has served as press secretary since the start of Trump’s second term, leading weekly briefings that often featured tense exchanges with reporters. Her tenure was defined by aggressive defenses of Trump, frequent criticism of the news media, and sharp attacks on Democratic leaders, making her one of the administration’s most visible political communicators.