Karoline Leavitt Steps Down as White House Press Secretary, Sparking Race to Replace Her Amid Trump's Record-Low Approval Ratings

Karoline Leavitt is leaving her role as White House press secretary after 20 months, Trump announced on social media.

Karoline Leavitt, one of the most visible faces of the Trump administration, is stepping down as White House press secretary after 20 months in the role. At 28, she is the youngest person ever to serve in the position. Donald Trump made the announcement on social media, saying Leavitt was departing to spend more time with her family — she has described wanting to 'be the best mom.' She will leave the administration at the end of the month. Trump added that she would transition into a role as one of his 'top outside advisors,' keeping her connected to the administration in an informal capacity. Her departure comes three months before the midterm elections and amid Trump's approval rating falling to a historic low, according to YouGov polling. Her exit has sparked what is being described as a competitive race inside Trump's circle for the prominent position, with multiple potential candidates reportedly being considered. The role requires managing a complex relationship with the media as well as Trump's high expectations. Throughout her tenure, Leavitt earned consistent praise from Trump for her staunch defense of his agenda and policy positions at the podium. Commentary from The Guardian suggests Trump has historically prioritized loyalty and a willingness to aggressively defend his positions — including making disputed claims — as key qualities in his press secretaries. Some observers, including an L.A. Times reader, have speculated that Leavitt may have felt disillusioned after she and the press corps were used as 'decoys' during the Turkey trip, suggesting she may not have anticipated such treatment as part of the role.

Why it matters

The White House press secretary is a central communications figure, shaping how the administration's positions are presented to the public and press. Leavitt's departure marks a significant personnel change at the podium after nearly two years of a high-profile tenure.

What's next

No successor has been named in the available reporting, leaving the question of who will fill the press secretary role open to watch.

Key facts

Bias & framing notes

All three sources are from The Guardian, providing no independent corroboration from other outlets. The reporting is largely factual and consistent across the three pieces, though the framing leans toward summarizing Leavitt's record favorably on her terms — describing her as earning 'plaudits' — without significant critical perspective or comment from press freedom or opposition voices.

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