Trump said Karoline Leavitt will leave the White House press secretary job at month’s end.
Why it matters: The departure opens a top White House communications role that helps set daily messaging and manage the administration’s media strategy. It also comes as the White House heads toward a politically charged stretch, including the midterm cycle.
- Trump announced Leavitt’s departure on Aug. 12, 2026, according to AP and BBC.
- She is expected to leave the press secretary post at the end of August.
- Trump said Leavitt wants more time with her family and described her as one of his most trusted aides.
- Axios reported Trump said Leavitt would remain an adviser and influential Republican voice heading into the midterms.
President Donald Trump said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave the role at the end of the month, according to AP and BBC. Both outlets said the announcement came Aug. 12, 2026, with the departure set for late August.
Trump said Leavitt is stepping away so she can spend more time with her young children and family. He called her one of his most trusted aides and said he respected the decision, according to the AP and BBC reports.
Leavitt said in a statement that after returning to the White House after the birth of her daughter, she felt she could not be the best mother her two young children deserve while also meeting the demands of the press secretary job, AP reported. That gives the move a family explanation, but the reporting does not identify a dispute or other formal personnel change.
Axios reported Trump said in a Truth Social post that Leavitt would remain active as an adviser and Republican voice outside the formal White House role. The reporting available in the dossier does not name a successor for the press secretary post.
By the numbers
- Aug. 12, 2026 - date Trump announced Leavitt's departure.
- End of August - expected date Leavitt leaves the press secretary job.
- 2 young children - the family reason cited in Leavitt's statement.
Yes, but: The dossier does not identify who will replace Leavitt or whether the White House has a formal transition plan.
What's next: No successor has been named in the dossier.