“You guys will still see me all the time,” Leavitt told reporters.
The announcement comes after President Trump revealed earlier this month that Leavitt would step down from her White House position at the end of August to spend more time with her family.
For Leavitt, however, the transition represents a change in position rather than an exit from Trump’s inner political circle.
At just 28 years old, Leavitt made history as the youngest White House press secretary in American history when Trump returned to office in January 2025. During her tenure, she became one of the administration’s most recognizable defenders, regularly taking on hostile questioning from the Washington press corps while forcefully promoting the president’s agenda.
Now, she is moving from the briefing room to the political battlefield outside the White House.
Her return to MAGA Inc. also brings her back to familiar territory. Before becoming national press secretary for Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign, Leavitt worked as a spokesperson for the Trump-aligned political organization. She also gained experience in the White House press office during Trump’s first term.
Leavitt’s decision to leave the administration was driven largely by family considerations. She recently returned to work after welcoming her daughter in May and has spoken openly about the difficulty of balancing motherhood with one of the most demanding communications jobs in Washington.
“Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” Leavitt wrote when announcing her decision.
Still, she acknowledged that the role required enormous sacrifices.
“Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least.”
Leavitt described the decision as bittersweet, ultimately concluding that the intense demands of serving as the president’s chief spokeswoman made it difficult to devote the time she wanted to her two young children.
But she also made clear that stepping away from the West Wing would not mean stepping away from Trump.
“President Trump has asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside, and I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party.”
“My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over.”
That message is likely to reassure Trump supporters who have come to view Leavitt as one of the administration’s most effective and dependable voices.
Trump himself offered glowing praise when announcing her departure, describing Leavitt as a trusted aide whose work would leave a lasting mark on the administration.
“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” Trump said.
The president also praised her years of service to his political movement.
“Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!”
Vice President JD Vance also applauded Leavitt’s work, particularly her willingness to confront what he described as an aggressive and adversarial media environment.
“Karoline Leavitt has one of the hardest jobs in the Administration — dealing with the relentless attacks from the fake news media. She did the job with grace, wit and a smile on her face. She’s been one of the most effective voices in articulating and defending the President’s agenda, and I’m incredibly grateful to her.”
Other senior officials echoed those sentiments. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles called Leavitt “nothing short of extraordinary,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and FBI Director Kash Patel were among those publicly praising her time in the administration.
Leavitt’s move to MAGA Inc. could prove especially significant as Trump and Republicans look ahead to the 2026 midterms. The super PAC is expected to play an important role in supporting Trump’s political priorities and helping Republicans maintain and expand their influence in Washington.
Instead of standing behind the White House podium, Leavitt will now be positioned to help shape the political message heading into one of the most consequential election cycles of Trump’s second term.
Her departure also creates a major opening inside the White House. As of Monday, Trump had not publicly identified Leavitt’s successor, leaving one of the administration’s most visible positions unfilled.
Whoever takes over will face the difficult task of following a press secretary who quickly became one of the Trump administration’s most prominent communicators.
For Leavitt, though, the next chapter is already beginning.
The White House may be losing its youngest-ever press secretary, but the MAGA movement appears to be gaining another high-profile political voice just as the battle for 2026 begins to intensify.
