Karoline Leavitt concluded her tenure as White House press secretary on Thursday. Following her departure, she is expected to continue serving as an outside advisor to President Trump and will join the staff of the super PAC MAGA Inc.
Trump and Leavitt announced the move earlier this month, citing Leavitt's desire to spend more time with her young children. Leavitt previously served as a spokesperson for the 2024 Trump campaign and for MAGA Inc., and was a candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2022.
During her final public remarks on Thursday, Leavitt addressed the economic platform of the administration, stating that Democrats had voted against tax cuts. She also indicated she would remain active in the upcoming midterm cycle, telling reporters on Air Force One that she intends to travel to the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas next month.
The scale of the political challenge for the party is marked by recent polling data reported this week. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated President Trump’s approval rating reached 33 percent, while an Emerson College/The Hill poll showed Democrats leading Republicans by 8 points on a generic ballot. Voters will notice the shift in messaging as MAGA Inc. begins hosting national events, including a scheduled trip to Michigan next week by Vice President Vance to support state-level candidates.
This move follows a precedent set by other recent press secretaries who transitioned into new public-facing roles. Former press secretaries Kayleigh McEnany and Jen Psaki moved into television hosting positions, while Sarah Huckabee Sanders was elected governor of Arkansas. Observers, such as Debbie Walsh of the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, noted that Leavitt's background as a former congressional candidate may lead to future runs for public office. The immediate next step for the transition is Leavitt's participation in the Dallas convention scheduled for next month.