Trump’s Youngest Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Steps Down as Midterms Approach

Karoline Leavitt closed out her final day as White House press secretary on Thursday but will remain in President Trump’s orbit through his super PAC, MAGA Inc., and an outside adviser role ahead of the midterms.

Trump announced her departure August 12, stating she would step away to spend more time with her two young children while continuing as one of his top outside advisers. Days later, aboard Air Force One, Leavitt confirmed she would return to MAGA Inc., where she worked as a spokesperson before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Republican strategist Ford O’Connell noted that Leavitt “understands the base and how to break through the legacy news media cycle,” calling her skill set “invaluable to the president and to the Republican Party” as the midterms approach. Her final trip with Trump was Friday’s rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., the appointed successor to her late brother Lindsey Graham who won her GOP primary runoff. Leavitt drew a standing ovation, and Trump declared, “She’s fantastic.”

Leavitt stated she would join Trump at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas from September 9–10. Her departure comes amid daunting numbers for the GOP, with polling data showing Trump’s approval rating at 33% and Democrats leading Republicans by a margin of 51%-43% on the generic congressional ballot.

Leavitt used her final remarks to argue that Democrats had “voted against the largest tax cuts in American history,” vowing Trump would keep pressing his message through November. MAGA Inc. and the White House have already accelerated activities, with the super PAC announcing Vice President JD Vance will headline a rally in Sterling Heights, Michigan, alongside Senate nominee Mike Rogers and gubernatorial nominee Rep. John James. Trump also headlined an RNC fundraiser in Texas on Thursday evening.

At 28 years old, Leavitt leaves behind the youngest-ever press secretary distinction and a Trump-orbit resume, having challenged Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2022. Her former press-secretary peers have taken varied paths: Kayleigh McEnany and Jen Psaki went into television, while Sarah Huckabee Sanders won the Arkansas governorship.

Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, remarked that Leavitt “has clearly had aspirations for holding office” and asked, “why wouldn’t she think about that down the road?”