Karoline Leavitt resigns as White House press secretary

On August 12, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to ever hold the role at age 28, will resign at the end of August 2026. Leavitt, who recently returned from maternity leave, cited the challenges of balancing her demanding role with raising her two young children. Following her departure, Leavitt will transition to serving as a top outside communications adviser to Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

Leavitt resignation announcement

• ▪Karoline Leavitt, who was appointed at age 28, is the youngest person to ever serve as White House press secretary.
• ▪President Donald Trump announced on August 12, 2026, that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her role at the end of August 2026.
• ▪As of August 12, 2026, the Trump administration had not announced a successor to replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary.

Work-family balance decision

• ▪Karoline Leavitt stated she is resigning to spend more time with her family and two young children, including her daughter Viviana who was born on May 1, 2026.
• ▪Karoline Leavitt returned to her role as White House press secretary in July 2026 after taking maternity leave following the birth of her second child.
• ▪Karoline Leavitt has two young children with her husband, real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, including a son named Nicholas who turned 2 in July 2026.

Future advisory role

• ▪President Donald Trump stated that Karoline Leavitt will work with the Republican Party to help win the upcoming midterm elections in November 2026.
• ▪Following her departure at the end of August 2026, Karoline Leavitt will serve as a top outside communications adviser to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.

Trump administration press secretary history

• ▪During his first presidential term from 2017 to 2021, Donald Trump employed four press secretaries: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany.
• ▪Upon her departure at the end of August 2026, Karoline Leavitt will be the second longest-serving press secretary under Donald Trump, trailing only Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
• ▪Karoline Leavitt is the fifth White House press secretary to serve under Donald Trump across his two presidential terms.

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