White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, as she prepares to spend more time with her family.
According to Fox News, Leavitt confirmed the decision in a lengthy post on X, describing it as a "bittersweet decision" after deciding she could not balance the demands of the White House press secretary job with raising her two young children.
"Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime," Leavitt wrote.
Leavitt thanked Trump for allowing her to work in the West Wing, travel with the administration and represent the president during White House briefings.
She said one of the greatest privileges of the job was speaking on Trump's behalf from the White House podium.
Leavitt also highlighted her role in promoting the administration's accomplishments and challenging members of the media.
The decision to leave came after Leavitt returned to the White House following the birth of her daughter. She said becoming a mother again while holding one of the administration's most demanding public-facing positions made her reconsider how she wanted to balance work and family.
"Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life," Leavitt wrote.
She said she had concluded that she could not be the mother her two children deserve while giving the press secretary position the "constant time, energy, and attention" it requires.
Trump praised Leavitt in announcing her departure and said he understood and respected her decision to step away from the role.
"Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family," Trump said.
Leavitt will not be leaving Trump's political orbit entirely. The president said she will become one of his top outside advisers and remain an influential voice within the Republican Party.
Trump also credited Leavitt with playing a major role in his political operation dating back to 2018, including his 2024 reelection campaign.
"Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job," Trump said, calling her "one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office."