The exit of the combative press secretary leaves the president without one of his top communicators and most recognisable faces as he hurtles towards the midterms.

Leavitt, who is the youngest White House press secretary every, gave birth in May to a girl, her second child.

US president Donald Trump has announced that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her role at the end of August to spend more time with her family.