President Trump announced the seemingly sudden departure of Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, surprising many in the political world.
Leavitt had recently returned to her post as the top White House spox after delivering her second baby and didn’t miss a beat as she reclaimed the podium to take on a mostly hostile press.
So, it was shocking news when Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that Leavitt will be “departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with their beautiful young children and family.”
Trump thanked Leavitt for her service and praised her as “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.”
He added that Leavitt will still be working behind the scenes as one of his “top outside advisors.”
We love you, @PressSec! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gDn2ivqGrq
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 12, 2026
Leavitt also made her own announcement, thanking President Trump and signaling that she won’t give up the fight to save our Republic. She called the decision to step down as press secretary “bittersweet.”
Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for granting me so many extraordinary opportunities, such as working in the West Wing and spending countless hours… https://t.co/4jyW61DGGh pic.twitter.com/xny1yccuBn
— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) August 12, 2026
“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.
“Our country is facing an existential threat from an increasingly extremist Democrat Party that seeks to destroy everything great about America, and I believe it is incumbent upon all of us who care about this country to fight back against that threat. My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over,” Leavitt’s post continued.
“Thank you again to the President, the First Lady, and the entire Trump family for your kindness and generosity over the years. Thank you to our amazing Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for empowering me since the day she hired me on the campaign, and to the President’s cabinet, my staff, colleagues, and friends at the White House who work so hard on behalf of our nation. It has been a privilege to serve alongside so many accomplished and impressive people, and I look forward to cheering them on over the next two and a half years.
“And of course, thank you most especially to my loving and supportive husband and family for the sacrifices they made for me to serve in this role. ♥️🇺🇸”
It didn’t take long for the news to spread, and the well-wishes and praise for Leavitt poured in:
Karoline Leavitt has one of the hardest jobs in the Administration — dealing with the relentless attacks from the fake news media. She did the job with grace, wit and a smile on her face. She’s been one of the most effective voices in articulating and defending the President’s… https://t.co/CPYFwSyQEB
— JD Vance (@JDVance) August 12, 2026
Karoline, you have been nothing short of extraordinary. You have taken on one of the toughest jobs in Washington with confidence, discipline, grace and an unmatched ability to deliver the President’s message. Simply put, you are the greatest @PressSec .
But what has been equally… pic.twitter.com/68ypKUvrr7
— Susie Wiles (@SusieWiles47) August 12, 2026
🚨 JUST IN: Stephen Miller just dropped this heartfelt line after Karoline Leavitt steps down as White House press secretary
“She has served this president so well, this administration so well, this country so well, and very importantly, she’s been a role model to millions and… pic.twitter.com/ZVV5qQYg2c
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 12, 2026
Congratulations to @PressSec @karolineleavitt on an extraordinary chapter of service to our country.
Karoline is the youngest White House Press Secretary in American history and she brought tenacity, grace, and the joy of the Lord when she walked into that briefing room every…
— Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) August 13, 2026
Karoline has been a critical part of President Trump’s team and has played a pivotal role in the historic accomplishments of the most transparent administration in American history.
Wishing her and her family nothing but the best in their next chapter! https://t.co/MI13Jg1b2o
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) August 12, 2026
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