White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt — the youngest person ever to hold the position — will leave her post at the end of August to focus on her growing family, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, closing a fast-paced and closely watched chapter for the 28-year-old who became one of the most recognizable faces of the second Trump administration.

Leavitt recently returned from maternity leave following the birth of her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May. She is also mother to a young son. In a statement announcing her departure, she described the decision as bittersweet, reflecting on a role she called the honor and adventure of a lifetime.

She expressed deep gratitude to President Trump for the opportunities she was given, including her time in the West Wing and the Oval Office, international travel with the administration, and the chance to engage directly with Americans across the country. But she said that since returning to the White House after her daughter’s birth, she had come to a difficult realization: she could not give her two young children the mother they deserve while also giving the demanding role the constant time, energy, and attention it requires.

President Trump praised Leavitt as one of his most trusted aides, calling her “wonderful” and saying he fully understood and respected her choice. He said she will continue to serve as one of his top outside advisers and remain an influential voice within the Republican Party heading into the midterm elections. The president went further, calling Leavitt one of the best press secretaries in the history of the office and thanking her for a job well done — pointing to her work fighting for justice, liberty, and freedom dating back to 2018, including her role during the 2024 campaign.

Leavitt has been a highly visible and steadfastly loyal face of the administration since first stepping up to the podium in January 2025. Colleagues have repeatedly pointed to her poise, sharp wit, and composure under pressure as defining traits of her tenure. Still, some critics have questioned the timing of her departure, coming so close to the midterm elections and as the administration continues to navigate a number of ongoing challenges.

President Trump has not yet named a successor. For now, Leavitt’s exit closes a notable chapter as the youngest press secretary in White House history — one that colleagues and the president alike say was defined as much by her grace under fire as by her loyalty. As she steps away from the podium, she remains connected to the president’s orbit, prioritizing the family she says needs her most.