Outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Friday that she will join MAGA Inc., a super PAC affiliated with Donald Trump, following her upcoming departure from the administration. Leavitt shared the information with reporters outside of Air Force One on Friday evening, noting that the trip to a rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, would be her final official outing in her current role.
The move comes approximately one week after Leavitt announced she would step down at the end of August to spend more time with her family. Leavitt previously served as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc. before joining Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and subsequently the White House. While she did not specify her new title, she stated that she would continue to appear at campaign events through the November midterm elections.
Donald Trump addressed the vacancy during comments to reporters on Friday, stating that the White House had received a high volume of job applications for the press secretary position but had not yet named a successor. Potential candidates reported for the role include CNN commentator Scott Jennings and Katie Miller, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Trump previously described Leavitt as an influential voice who would continue to serve as a top adviser after leaving her official post.
RNC donors and political candidates will notice the impact of this personnel shift through the PAC’s involvement in midterm races. With $350 million at its disposal, the organization has the capacity to influence dozens of congressional and local contests. A person following these races would notice Leavitt's continued presence on the campaign trail, including her planned attendance at the Republican National Convention in Dallas this September, despite her transition out of her taxpayer-funded role at the White House.
The knock-on effects of this departure include a shift in the White House press office's daily operations as the administration searches for a permanent replacement. While Leavitt's departure is effective at the end of August 2026, the absence of an immediate successor means the administration must manage press inquiries through an interim period. The selection of a new press secretary—whether it be Jennings, Miller, or another applicant—will determine the tone of official government communications for the remainder of the term. The next major milestone for Leavitt will be the Republican convention scheduled for September 2026.