White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared alongside President Donald Trump on Friday, making one of her first public appearances since announcing her decision to leave the administration at the end of August. Leavitt, 28, accompanied President Trump as he traveled to New York to deliver remarks at a police academy. She was seen at the President’s side as he spoke with reporters at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One.
"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." — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
The appearance came just one day after Leavitt announced her resignation, a move that surprised many in Washington and leaves President Trump searching for a replacement less than three months before the crucial midterm elections. Photographs from Friday showed Leavitt maintaining a reserved expression as reporters surrounded President Trump, later glancing toward photographers while walking up the stairs to Air Force One.
On Thursday, Leavitt stated that she was stepping away from her demanding White House position to spend more time with her family. This decision follows her return from maternity leave only last month, having given birth to her daughter in May. This is her second child in two years. According to reports, sources indicated that Leavitt returned to work early at President Trump’s urging, and the President had expressed a desire for her to remain in the administration.
Leavitt described her departure as a “bittersweet decision” after what she called “the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life.” In a public statement on X, she elaborated on her reasoning: “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.” She concluded that this realization ultimately led her to “depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life.”
President Trump publicly praised his outgoing press secretary following the announcement. In a post on Truth Social, the President stated that Leavitt’s departure was “a decision I totally understand and respect.” He further described her as “one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office,” underscoring her perceived effectiveness in the demanding role.
Despite leaving her formal White House position, Leavitt is not expected to disappear from President Trump’s political operation entirely. Reports suggest she will continue to play a role behind the scenes. President Trump announced that she would remain a “top outside adviser” and an “influential voice” within the Republican Party, particularly as the GOP prepares for the upcoming November midterm elections. This indicates a continued, albeit different, engagement in the political landscape.
The White House has yet to announce Leavitt’s replacement. Speculation surrounding the position has included President Trump’s former attorney Alina Habba, while other Trump allies and administration officials have also been discussed as potential successors. The timing of the vacancy adds pressure to the administration to find a suitable candidate quickly to manage communications during a critical election period.
Leavitt became one of the administration’s most recognizable figures through her often combative exchanges with reporters and her frequent criticism of media coverage she viewed as unfair or inaccurate. Her relationship with President Trump extends back to his first administration. Leavitt initially joined President Trump’s White House orbit in 2018, working as a presidential writer before advancing to an assistant White House press secretary role. She later served as communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) from 2021 to 2022. Following an unsuccessful congressional campaign in New Hampshire, she returned to President Trump’s political operation, serving as his national press secretary during the 2024 presidential campaign and becoming one of his most visible media surrogates. After President Trump returned to the White House, Leavitt was selected as his press secretary.
Her resignation comes shortly after another departure from the White House communications operation. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson left the administration earlier this month to pursue a position in the private sector, further highlighting a period of transition within the President’s media team. Leavitt shares two children, 2-year-old Niko and 3-month-old Vivi, with her husband, real estate developer Nicholas Riccio. While her precise next professional move remains unclear, President Trump’s announcement that she will continue advising him suggests Leavitt will maintain a significant role in Republican politics even after officially leaving the White House at the end of the month.
