Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary at age 28, announced she will leave her post at the end of August 2026 to spend more time with her family [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. Leavitt gave birth to her second child in early May and returned to work in July before publicly confirming her departure on August 12 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9].
Leavitt will rejoin MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC that can raise unlimited funds but does not coordinate directly with official campaigns. She previously worked for MAGA Inc. from 2022 to 2024 before joining Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and ultimately becoming White House press secretary [1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10]. On August 21, Leavitt affirmed her plans to return to the group after leaving the White House [1, 4].
Leavitt is expected to accompany former President Donald Trump to the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, in early September, ahead of the November midterm elections [1, 4, 6, 7, 8]. Trump commented on the press secretary search, saying "I've never had so many job applications in my life," as speculation about Leavitt's successor grows [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9].
Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator and former adviser to Senator Mitch McConnell, is reported to be a leading candidate. Jennings said, "The American people deserve someone to stand up and tell them as much as possible what's going on with the president and the government. This job is a channel to transparency both in front of and behind the camera. That's a very important part." White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has met with Jennings and is believed to support his candidacy [2, 3, 5, 9].
Other names mentioned include Alina Habba, who has denied seeking the post, and Anna Kelly, the current deputy press secretary [2, 3, 5, 9]. Trump and officials are not rushing the selection and may have cabinet officials rotate briefing duties temporarily [2, 3, 5, 9].
Leavitt described her time in the role as "the honor and adventure of a lifetime" [10]. The White House press secretary position is expected to be filled in the coming weeks as political activity intensifies before the midterms less than three months away [2, 3, 5, 9].
