White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to step down, citing motherhood and MAGA advocacy

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping down at the end of August, trading the press podium for motherhood and a continued role as a MAGA advocate. The 28-year-old announced her departure on X, stating that balancing the demanding role of press secretary with raising her two young children had become too challenging.

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Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life.

"Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life," Leavitt wrote. She added that she could not give the press secretary job the "constant time, energy, and attention" it requires while being the "best mom" her children deserve.

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the honor and adventure of a lifetime

However, Washington's rumor mill churned out alternative theories, notably linking Leavitt's decision to a recent incident where former President Trump allegedly left her behind on a decoy plane during a trip to Turkey. Social media connected this event, which occurred shortly before her resignation announcement, to speculation about an argument with Trump or his aide Natalie Harp. Despite the timing fueling gossip, the article notes there is no credible evidence to support these claims.

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asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside, and I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party.

Leavitt expressed gratitude to Trump for the "honor and adventure of a lifetime." She revealed that Trump has asked her to serve as a "top advisor on the outside" and that she will "always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party." Trump himself echoed this sentiment, stating he "totally understands and respects" her decision to spend time with her family, while simultaneously declaring she would become a "top outside advisor" and "influential voice" in the GOP.

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a decision he “totally understands and respects.”