Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history at age 28, will step down from her role at the end of August, President Trump announced on August 12. Leavitt’s departure marks a shift in the Trump administration’s communications leadership after she spent roughly eight months in the position.
Trump said Leavitt will leave “so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family,” according to multiple reports. The decision follows the May birth of her second child. In a social media post, Leavitt called the move a “bittersweet decision,” noting her desire to focus on her growing family while remaining available to advise the president on GOP matters.
The announcement caught some administration colleagues off guard, according to reporting from Politico. The White House has not yet named a successor, though multiple names have emerged as potential replacements. Alina Habba, a White House senior adviser, has been considered for the role, though she has ruled out replacing Leavitt, according to recent reports. Other candidates include CNN commentator Scott Jennings, who interviewed for the position, as well as White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, communications director Steven Cheung, and Katie Miller, wife of Trump’s close adviser Stephen Miller.
Leavitt’s exit reflects broader turnover within the Trump administration. According to U.S. News, Trump has shed 32 percent of his White House staff as of April 2026 during his second term. The Washington Examiner reported in July that 27 of Trump’s Senate-confirmed officials have resigned from their posts in the first 18 months of his second term, marking the administration’s highest turnover rate.
Press secretary roles have historically seen significant turnover across administrations. Sean Spicer, Trump’s first press secretary during his first term, served for 182 days before resigning in July 2017. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who followed Spicer, served longer but also eventually departed. Stephanie Grisham, another Trump press secretary, had an even shorter tenure before being ousted in 2020.
Trump indicated he is not in a hurry to name a replacement. NBC News reported that the president intends to replace Leavitt but has not prioritized an immediate decision. This suggests a potential interim period during which the deputy press secretary or another official may handle briefing duties.
Sources
- ABC News — Trump’s announcement of Leavitt’s departure at month’s end to spend time with family
- Reuters — Confirmation of Leavitt’s August 2026 departure and stated reason
- NBC News — Details on Leavitt stepping down and Trump’s timeline for replacement
- AP News — Leavitt’s age (28), description as youngest press secretary, and her call of the decision “bittersweet”
- The New York Times — Confirmation that Leavitt recently gave birth to her second child in May
- CNN — Trump’s stated reason for Leavitt’s departure
- Politico — Report that the announcement caught colleagues off guard
- BBC News — Confirmation of Leavitt’s family-focused reason for departure
- The Hill — Details on potential successor Anna Kelly and other candidates
- U.S. News — Trump’s 32% White House staff turnover as of April 2026
- Washington Examiner — 27 Senate-confirmed officials resigned in first 18 months of second term
- Washington Post — Historical context on Sean Spicer’s 182-day tenure as press secretary
