Karoline Leavitt, the youngest ever White House Press Secretary at just 28, will step down from her role at the end of the month, Agence France Presse reported.

President Donald Trump announced her departure on Wednesday, praising her as “one of my most trusted aides” and confirming she will continue as a senior advisor outside the administration.

Leavitt built a reputation for sharp exchanges with journalists, often delivering biting putdowns during combative press briefings. Her style made her a fierce defender of Trump, and she became a prominent face of his administration’s communication strategy over the past year and a half.

Trump stated that Leavitt’s decision was motivated by her desire to spend more time with her young family. In May, she gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Viviana, shortly after postponing her maternity leave due to an alleged assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The President described her as “wonderful” and emphasised that she would remain an influential voice within the Republican Party.

Leavitt herself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Press Secretary, calling it “the honour and adventure of a lifetime.” She said she relished holding the media accountable and ensuring that the public heard the administration’s version of events. In her farewell message, she thanked Trump for granting her extraordinary opportunities, including working in the West Wing and spending countless hours shaping the administration’s messaging.

Her departure comes at a politically sensitive moment, with Trump’s poll numbers sliding and Republicans facing the risk of defeat in the upcoming November midterm elections. The loss of such a loyal and combative spokesperson could affect the administration’s ability to manage its public narrative during a turbulent campaign season.

Leavitt’s transition to an advisory role suggests she will continue to play a part in shaping Republican strategy, albeit from outside the press briefing room. Her influence within the party is expected to remain strong, given her close ties to Trump and her proven ability to rally conservative supporters against media criticism.

Agencies