White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday that she will leave her position at the end of the month to join the MAGA Inc. super PAC. Leavitt, 28, told reporters she will also serve as a top outside adviser to President Donald Trump following her departure.
Leavitt previously worked for MAGA Inc., a political action committee supporting the president, before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign. Her resignation, which the president announced earlier this month via Truth Social, was attributed to a desire to spend more time with her family, including her two young children. A White House official stated that the suddenness of the resignation left the president taking his time to name a successor.
During comments made while boarding Air Force One on Friday, President Trump said many individuals have expressed interest in the role, noting that Leavitt made the position look "glamorous." The president mentioned CNN commentator Scott Jennings and longtime staffer Margo Martin as potential replacements. Other names mentioned in speculation include Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly and Katie Miller, wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Former personal lawyer Alina Habba previously addressed rumors regarding the position on social media, stating she was not seeking the role.
The change in personnel may shift how information regarding federal policies, executive orders, and legislative priorities is disseminated to the American public. A new secretary may adopt a different tone or frequency of briefings, which directly impacts how journalists gather information for their reporting on the federal government. Historically, the role has seen frequent turnover; for example, the Trump administration had four different press secretaries during his first four-year term.
Leavitt’s move to MAGA Inc. signifies a shift from a government role to a political one, where she will participate in the Republican midterm convention starting in September. As an outside adviser, she will continue to influence the president's strategy while no longer being a formal government employee. The president has not yet set a firm deadline for naming a permanent replacement, though Leavitt is scheduled to finish her White House duties by August 31. Until a successor is named, the daily responsibilities of the office will likely be managed by the remaining press staff.
Leavitt told reporters they would continue to see her "all the time" in her new capacity. She is expected to start her work with the super PAC in September. The timeline for a formal nomination for the next White House Press Secretary remains unconfirmed as of Friday.