# Karoline Leavitt departs White House Press Secretary role > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/karoline-leavitt-white-house-press-scrutiny > Updated: 2026-09-11T01:27:33.000Z. Sources: 384. Developments: 16. Karoline Leavitt officially concluded her tenure as the 36th White House Press Secretary on Thursday, August 27, 2026. During her approximately 20-month term, Leavitt was recognized as the youngest person to hold the role and was noted for her defense of President Trump’s ‘America First agenda’ and her confrontational interactions with the media. She also worked to expand briefing access to new media outlets, such as podcasts and online platforms. Leavitt, who cited the need to spend more time with her two young children, transitioned to the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. to serve as an external advisor. President Trump praised her performance, describing her as ‘one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.’ Following her departure, Leavitt returned to the political stage at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas. During her address, she criticized Democratic economic policies, characterizing them as ‘socialist’ and warning that such agendas lead to poverty and the loss of private property. She also touted Trump administration accomplishments, including a major tax bill and southern border efforts, while urging supporters to vote for Republicans to continue the ‘Make America Great Again’ movement. As of her departure, no permanent successor has been named. In the interim, high-ranking administration officials will conduct press briefings on a rotational basis. Leavitt’s former communications team will continue to operate at the White House, reporting to Communications Director Steven Cheung. ## Claims - Karoline Leavitt will depart her role as White House Press Secretary at the end of August 2026. (disputed by 42 sources) - Karoline Leavitt was the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, taking the role at age 27. (disputed by 3 sources) - Leavitt departed her role as White House press secretary at the end of August. (disputed by 3 sources) - Leavitt is leaving her position to spend more time with her family and children. (corroborated by 49 sources) - Leavitt will serve as one of Trump's top outside advisors. (corroborated by 43 sources) - Leavitt will act as an influential voice within the Republican Party. (corroborated by 43 sources) - Karoline Leavitt is resigning from her role as White House Press Secretary at the end of August. (corroborated by 35 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Karoline Leavitt speaks at Republican Midterm Convention Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, criticizing Democratic economic policies and rejoining Trump’s MAGA Inc. Super PAC. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karoline-leavitt-speaks-at-republican-midterm-convention ### 2026-08-27: Karoline Leavitt completes tenure as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has stepped down as White House Press Secretary to focus on her family. She will return to the super PAC MAGA Inc. while remaining an advisor to President Trump. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karoline-leavitt-invited-to-appear-as-guest-on-abcs-the-view ### 2026-08-24: Donald Trump jokes about Karoline Leavitt prioritizing children over him President Donald Trump joked that outgoing press secretary Karoline Leavitt chose her children over him as she prepares to leave her role to focus on her family. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-jokes-about-karoline-leavitt-prioritizing-children-over-him ### 2026-08-22: Karoline Leavitt to leave White House role for MAGA Inc White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will resign at the end of August to focus on her family, returning to work for the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. to support the upcoming midterm elections. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karoline-leavitt-to-join-maga-inc-after-white-house-departure ### 2026-08-20: Scott Jennings emerges as frontrunner to replace Karoline Leavitt White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will resign at the end of August. CNN commentator Scott Jennings has emerged as a top candidate to replace her, following meetings with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-considers-male-successor-for-press-secretary ### 2026-08-17: Karoline Leavitt to depart White House Press Secretary role in August White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down at the end of August to focus on her family. The administration is weighing rotating Cabinet officials to lead briefings during the search for a lead. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-discusses-potential-successors-for-press-secretary-role ### 2026-08-14: Karoline Leavitt to resign as White House Press Secretary in August White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will resign at the end of August to focus on her family. Donald Trump praised her service and noted she will remain a top outside adviser to the administration. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karoline-leavitt-to-depart-white-house-press-secretary-role-1 ### 2026-08-12: Karoline Leavitt to resign as White House Press Secretary White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will resign at the end of August to focus on her family. She will remain a top outside advisor to President Trump and an influential voice in the Republican Party. 300 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karoline-leavitt-to-depart-white-house-press-secretary-role ### 2026-08-07: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Photo Sparks Online Debate Over Trump's Posture Karoline Leavitt’s X post of Trump in Georgia sparked a flood of jokes and speculation about his posture, with no medical evidence or official comment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-photo-sparks-online-debate-over-trumps-posture ### 2026-08-03: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Faces Online Backlash Over Age Gap with Husband White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt drew online criticism after Instagram photos highlighted her 32‑year age gap with husband Nicholas Riccio, a 60‑year‑old real‑estate developer, and their two young孩子 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-faces-online-backlash-over-age-gap-with-husband ### 2026-07-30: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Makeup Artist Faces Harassment and Plans Baby Shower Brittany Danielle, Karoline Leavitt’s makeup artist, helped plan the press secretary’s baby shower and claims she’s faced death threats online due to the high‑profile role. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitts-makeup-artist-faces-harassment-and-plans-baby-shower ### 2026-07-30: Karoline Leavitt photographed with Trump Nazi cartoon White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was photographed holding a newspaper that displayed Pat Oliphant’s cartoon of Donald Trump in a Nazi uniform, sparking a viral social‑media reaction. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karoline-leavitt-photographed-with-trump-nazi-cartoon ### 2026-07-28: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Faces Online Backlash Over Photo With Older Husband Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, posted an Instagram carousel after the July 24 Correspondents' Dinner, sparking backlash over her 32‑year age gap with husband Nicholas Riccio. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-faces-online-backlash-over-photo-with-older-husband ### 2026-07-26: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Sparks Controversy Over Trump Remarks White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt returned after maternity leave, claimed Democrats are controlled by communists and praised Trump, sparking backlash. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-sparks-controversy-over-trump-remarks ### 2026-07-24: Karoline Leavitt returns to White House duties after maternity leave White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt resumed duties after maternity leave, sharing an Instagram walk with her babies, joking she's always watching staff, and addressing a press briefing that covered a Q 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karoline-leavitt-returns-to-white-house-duties-after-maternity-leave ### 2026-07-21: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Faces Social Media Backlash Over Marine One Outfit Press secretary Karoline Leavitt drew online criticism for a tight Marine One outfit and later for posting a Trump interview photo that led to jokes about his alleged diaper. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-faces-social-media-backlash-over-marine-one-outfit --- Cite as: Karoline Leavitt departs White House Press Secretary role. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/karoline-leavitt-white-house-press-scrutiny