Karoline Leavitt exiting as White House press secretary, will serve as outside Trump adviser

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Updated on: August 12, 2026 / 3:50 PM EDT

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Washington — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will be exiting her role at the end of August, switching to a role as a top outside adviser, President Trump announced on Truth Social Wednesday. The president said she's leaving so she can spend more time with her family. Leavitt had a baby girl, her second child, in May, and only recently returned to the White House. "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!" Mr. Trump wrote. "Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections. 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!"It's not yet clear who the next White House press secretary will be, or who will fill in during the interim. Leavitt has been the White House press secretary since the beginning of the president's second term. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.