Trump says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to leave post

August 12, 2026

President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will resign from her position at the end of August to focus on her family. The 28-year-old, who became the youngest person to hold the role when appointed last year, recently returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her second child in May. Leavitt explained that balancing her demanding White House responsibilities with being a mother to two young children led to her decision to step down.

Who is affected

Karoline Leavitt (resigning press secretary)
President Donald Trump (losing a trusted aide)
Leavitt's two young children and husband Nicholas Riccio (gaining more family time)
The White House press corps (will work with a new press secretary)
The Republican Party (where Leavitt will remain an influential voice)
Future Trump administration spokesperson (who will become his sixth chief spokesperson)

What action is being taken

Karoline Leavitt is stepping down from her position as White House Press Secretary at the end of the month
Trump is transitioning Leavitt to serve as one of his top outside advisors

Why it matters

This departure is significant because Leavitt was one of Trump's most trusted aides and the youngest person ever to serve as White House Press Secretary. Her resignation highlights the challenges of balancing high-pressure government positions with family responsibilities, particularly for working mothers. The change also means Trump will have his sixth chief spokesperson across his two administrations, continuing a pattern of turnover in this critical communications role that shapes how the administration's policies and messages reach the public.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC