President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August [1].
The departure of a high-profile communications official often signals a shift in administration messaging or a restructuring of the president's inner circle.
Trump said on Truth Social that Leavitt will transition into a role as a top outside adviser after exiting her current post [4]. He said that Leavitt is leaving so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision he said he understands and respects [1].
Leavitt recently gave birth to her second child in May 2026 [2]. The announcement of her resignation came on Aug. 12 [3].
As press secretary, Leavitt served as the primary face of the administration to the media. Her transition to an outside advisory role allows her to maintain a connection to the White House while stepping away from the daily demands of the press briefing room.
Trump's announcement confirms that the transition will be effective by the end of August 2026 [1]. The administration has not yet named a successor to fill the vacancy in the Washington, D.C., office [4].
“"Leavitt is leaving so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family"”
The move shifts a key communications strategist from a public-facing role to a private advisory capacity. By retaining Leavitt as an outside adviser, the Trump administration maintains her institutional knowledge and loyalty while addressing her personal need for family time following the birth of her second child.
