White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, age 28, is stepping down from her role at the month's end. She is leaving the administration to prioritize her two young children.
The struggle to balance the podium with Niko and Vivi
Karoline Leavitt cited the demands of motherhood as the primary driver for her departure, describing the choice as "bittersweet." As the source notes, Leavitt returned to her duties just last month following the birth of her second child in May. She expressed on social media that she felt she could not be the mother her two children—son Niko, age two, and daughter Vivi, age three months—deserved while maintaining the constant energy required for the press secretary role.
The personal transition comes amid a marriage to real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, 60, whom Leavitt married in January of last year. For Leavitt, the decision marks the end of what she called the "most rewarding yet challenging season" of her professional life.
Trump’s frustration and the shift to 'top outside adviser'
Donald Trump was reportedly frustrated by the resignation, as he had viewed Leavitt as a central figure for the upcoming midterm campaign. According to the report, the President even begged Leavitt to remain in her post. Despite this frustration, Trump used social media to praise her, calling her "one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office."
To maintain her influence within the administration, Donald Trump announced that Karoline Leavitt will transition into a role as a "top outside adviser." This designation ensures she remains an "influential voice" within the Republican Party, even as she exits the daily grind of the White House briefing room.
A trajectory from Elise Stefanik to the White House
The rise of Karoline Leavitt within the MAGA ecosystem began in 2018, when she first joined Donald Trump's orbit as a presidential writer and later as an assistant press secretary. Her career path is a blueprint for loyalty-based appointments , having served as the communications director for Elise Stefanik, a New York representative and close ally of the President, from 2021 to 2022.
At the podium, Leavitt became famous for her aggressive posture, frequently mirroring Donald Trump's own rhetoric. She was known for attacking "fake news" journalists and delivering sharp rebukes to reporters who challenged the administration's narrative, cementing her status as one of the President's closest confidantes.
Alina Habba and the bookmakers' prediction
The search for a successor is alrready underway, with Alina Habba emerging as the frontrunner. The report says that bookmakers currently view the former lawyer for Donald Trump as the odds-on favorite to take over the podium. Habba's history of fierce loyalty and legal combativeness makes her a natural fit for a role that requires attacking the press.
However, it remains unverified whether Habba is actually seeking the position or if the betting markets are simply reflecting her profile. The White House has not yet confirmed the appointment, though a formal announcement is expected in the coming days.
The vacuum left by Abigail Jackson’s departure
The exit of Karoline Leavitt follows the recent departure of Abigail Jackson, one of Leavitt's top deputies, who left the White House for the private sector just two weeks ago. This double loss of senior communications staff creates a significant void in the administration's media strategy at a critical juncture.
Several questions remain unanswered regarding the transition. It is unclear how the midterm campaign's communication strategy will be adjusted without Leavitt's daily presence , and whether the "outside adviser" role will carry any actual decision-making power or serve as a purely honorary title. The administration has yet to clarify if they will seek a seasoned press professional or continue the trend of appointing loyalist combatants.
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