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U.S. President Donald Trump (left) answers questions from reporters after arriving on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on August 11 (local time). On the right is White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. / AP, Yonhap

Karoline Leavitt (28), the inaugural White House press secretary of the second Donald Trump administration, was revealed on August 12 (local time) to be stepping down at the end of this month, shortly after returning to work following the birth of her second child.

Leavitt cited difficulty in being the best mother to her two young children as the reason for her resignation. President Trump stated that he will enlist her as a senior external advisor to continue working together toward victory in the midterm elections. A successor for the press secretary role has not yet been announced.

Trump announces Press Secretary Leavitt's departure: "Fully understand and respect her decision for her family"

President Trump announced Leavitt's resignation via his social media platform, Truth Social, on the same day. He stated that upon her departure, Leavitt "will be able to spend more time with her beautiful young children and family," adding, "I fully understand and respect this decision." He praised her performance, saying, "Karoline has been a true leader at the White House, achieving incredible success fighting for justice and freedom since 2018, including during the historic 2024 re-election campaign." President Trump also referred to Leavitt as one of his "most trusted advisors."

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From left: Special Assistant and Communications Advisor to the White House Margo Martin, Personal Aide to U.S. President Donald Trump Walt Nauta, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Special Assistant to the President Natalie Harp walk to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on August 11 (local time). / AP, Yonhap

Leavitt decides to step down after giving birth to second daughter: "I cannot be the best mother"

Parenting two young children lay at the heart of her decision to step down. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Leavitt wrote, "After returning to the White House following the birth of my daughter, I felt that giving the relentless time, energy, and attention required of a White House press secretary meant I could not be the best mother my two young children deserved," adding, "That is precisely why I made the bittersweet decision to leave the White House and open a new chapter in my life." She went on to describe her past year and a half serving as White House press secretary as the honor and adventure of a lifetime. Leavitt gave birth to her first son during the 2024 presidential campaign and welcomed her second daughter this past May.

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U.S. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (center) speaks with President Donald Trump (partially visible) across from her aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One as it lands on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 11 (local time). On the left is White House Communications Advisor Margo Martin. President Trump was returning after attending the Patriot Games at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. / AFP, Yonhap

Trump appoints Leavitt as senior outside adviser, tasks her with GOP midterm election efforts

Even after leaving the White House, Leavitt's political relationship with President Trump will continue. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Leavitt will now serve as one of his senior outside advisers and an influential voice within the Republican Party, working together to secure a decisive midterm election victory that would defy historical trends. Leavitt also said Trump had asked her to continue serving as a senior outside adviser.

The phrase "defy historical trends" is widely interpreted as referring to reversing the pattern in which the ruling party has typically struggled in midterm elections. Trump did not announce a successor for Leavitt that day, and the White House also declined to answer questions about a replacement, according to Bloomberg and AP.

Leavitt, tapped as youngest-ever White House press secretary at 27, fronted Trump's combative press strategy in second term

Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before running unsuccessfully for a New Hampshire congressional seat in 2022. She went on to serve as spokesperson for Trump's 2024 campaign and then for the presidential transition team, before being tapped as White House press secretary at age 27 — the youngest to hold the role.

Bloomberg reported that during her tenure, Leavitt drew attention for her combative approach toward the press and her loyalty to Trump. In February 2025, the Trump White House restricted AP's access to cover certain presidential events over the outlet's continued use of the name "Gulf of Mexico," and that same month, the White House began directly exercising authority over forming the presidential press pool — a role previously held by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA).

                                                                                                                Ha Man-ju