President of the United States (US) Donald Trump has announced on social media that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her post at the end of August.
Taking to Truth Social on Wednesday (EST), Trump wrote that Leavitt was leaving “So she can spend more time” with her family, while adding that she “Will now be one of my top outside advisors.”
Leavitt, who gave birth to her daughter Viviana in May and returned from maternity leave last month, confirmed the decision on X. She wrote, “The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life.”
Leavitt served as a press aide during Trump’s first term, ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022 and served as spokeswoman for Trump’s 2024 campaign and transition team. At 27, she became the youngest person to hold the press secretary role.
Trump previously praised her performance during an interview, stating, “She’s become a star. It’s that face, it’s that brain, it’s those lips – the way they move, they move like she’s a machine gun.”
The announcement comes after reports revealed that officials used White House staff and journalists as unwitting decoys aboard Air Force One.
Security officials secretly moved Trump off Air Force One using an airport catering container in Turkiye and flew him to Britain on a military C-32A jet due to a credible threat from Iran. The older Air Force One, carrying staff and press, flew to Britain as a decoy.
Social media users immediately linked the decoy operation to the resignation, pointing out that Leavitt announced her exit 24 hours after learning she was left on a plane officials thought could be shot down.
Reactions flooded platforms, with one user writing, “Jeez Karoline, really sorry that the man you lied for constantly and sold your soul to, didn’t care enough about you to inform you that you could have been killed, leaving your tiny children without a mother.”
Another commenter added, “What do you mean? A narcissist only thought of himself and none of the people who have been (erroneously) loyal to him? That’s quite a surprise.”
Others focused on her role defending the administration, with one post stating, “Leavitt’s biggest mistake? Thinking she could defend a man who lies more than he breathes. That’s not a job, that’s a suicide mission.”
Additional users speculated on the timing, writing that she had to deport before she departed, while another noted, “I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that Karoline Leavitt resigned as White House press secretary after being an unwitting decoy on Air Force One.”
Sarcastic comments also emerged, with one post asking if she was “Jealous she didn’t get to ride in the catering truck” while another noted: “Kinda hits you in the boo boo when the world finds out that your boss hung you out for bait!”
Political figures offered opposing reactions to her departure. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised her on social media, writing, “Karoline Leavitt has served President Trump and the American people with courage and conviction. She’s a great colleague, a fearless voice for the President’s agenda and a true professional.”
California Senator Adam Schiff presented a contrasting view on X, writing, “Karoline Leavitt is leaving the White House to spend a little more time … with the truth.”
