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“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,” Leavitt wrote.
Trump did not outline plans for who might replace her in the
high-profile role. He said in a social media post of his own
that her decision to leave is one “I totally understand and
respect!” and indicated she would continue to play a role in his
orbit.
“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,” the
president wrote.
Leavitt worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC
supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she
ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican
primary before losing the general election to incumbent
Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.
During Trump’s first term in office, Leavitt worked as an aide
in the White House press office. She then became communications
director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.
Leavitt briefed from the White House press room less frequently
than some of her recent predecessors. Trump, who regularly
engages with reporters during White House events and during his
travels, primarily deployed Leavitt to Fox News and other
conservative news outlets to trumpet his agenda and take shots
at Democrats and the mainstream media.
Trump’s first-term press secretaries included Sean Spicer and
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who were known for quarreling with
reporters. Another, Stephanie Grisham, never held a briefing.
Her successor, Kayleigh McEnany, often lectured the news media
during her appearances in the press briefing room.
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