Trump announces White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to step down

US President Donald Trump announced in a social media post that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her role at the end of the month. Trump described Leavitt as one of his "most trusted aides," saying she is leaving to spend time with her young children and family — a decision he said he "totally understands and respects."

According to Trump, Leavitt will go on to become one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice within the Republican Party.

The 28-year-old took on the press secretary role last year, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position.

Responding to the announcement on X, Leavitt wrote that serving as White House press secretary over the past year and a half had been the honor and adventure of a lifetime. She added that she was especially grateful to the president for trusting her to speak on his behalf at the White House podium.

Leavitt welcomed her second child, a daughter, with her husband Nicholas Riccio in May. She also has a two-year-old son. Leavitt said that being a mother and welcoming a newborn while working one of the most demanding jobs in the world had been both the most rewarding and most challenging period of her life.