US President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position by the end of August, saying she wants to spend more time with her family following the birth of her daughter.

Trump made the announcement on Wednesday through a post on Truth Social, praising the 28-year-old official and saying she would continue to remain close to his administration as one of his top outside advisers.

Leavitt separately confirmed her departure, describing the decision as “bittersweet” and saying the demanding nature of the press secretary's job had made it difficult for her to balance her responsibilities at the White House with motherhood.

Leavitt Cites Family Responsibilities

Leavitt said that after returning to the White House following the birth of her daughter Viviana in May, she realised she could not give both her children the time and attention they deserved while continuing in one of the administration's most demanding positions.

She said the decision was ultimately driven by her desire to be a better mother to her two young children.

Her departure will bring an end to a high-profile tenure during which she became one of the most recognisable members of Trump's communications team.

Trump said Leavitt would now serve as one of his key advisers outside the White House.

Youngest Press Secretary

Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when Trump returned to office in January 2025.

She was 27 when she assumed the position, surpassing the previous record associated with Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he served as press secretary to President Richard Nixon.

Leavitt had already worked with Trump during his first presidency, serving as a press aide.

She later entered electoral politics and ran as the Republican candidate for New Hampshire's First Congressional District in 2022, but lost the election.

She subsequently joined Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and became part of his transition team before being selected as White House press secretary.

Frequent Exchanges With Media

Leavitt's tenure at the White House briefing room podium was marked by frequent confrontations with journalists.

She became known for aggressively defending Trump's policies and challenging reporters over questions involving the administration.

Her statements also attracted scrutiny from fact-checkers. Among the claims that drew criticism was her assertion that tariffs amounted to a tax cut for Americans, a statement that was rated false by PolitiFact.

Despite the controversies, Trump repeatedly praised her communication skills and performance as his chief spokesperson.

In one of his earlier comments, he described her as an effective communicator and publicly praised her prominence within his administration.

Departure Comes During Difficult Period

Leavitt's exit comes at a politically challenging time for the Trump administration.

Trump's approval ratings have faced pressure in recent surveys, with voters expressing concerns about rising prices and the economic consequences of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The White House press secretary has therefore been operating at a time when the administration has faced intense questioning over foreign policy, economic conditions and domestic political issues.

Leavitt's departure will mean the White House will have to appoint a new public face for its daily interaction with journalists.

Trump's announcement did not immediately identify her successor.

Trump Praises Leavitt

Trump's announcement was notably positive toward Leavitt despite her decision to leave the administration.

He praised her service and said she would remain part of his broader political team as an outside adviser.

The president has frequently highlighted Leavitt's loyalty and ability to defend his administration during difficult exchanges with the media.

Her decision, however, appears to be primarily driven by family considerations following the birth of her second child.

Who Will Replace Her?

The White House has not yet announced who will succeed Leavitt as press secretary.

During Trump's first presidential term, the White House went through four press secretaries — Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.

The next appointment will be closely watched as the administration prepares for another phase of its presidency amid political and economic challenges.

For now, Leavitt is expected to remain in the role through the end of August before beginning what she described as a new chapter in her life.