Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, is departing her role to join MAGA Inc., a super political action committee (PAC) that supports former President Donald Trump. Her decision, announced on 12/8, is driven by a desire to prioritize her young children.

Leavitt’s new role will see her return to MAGA Inc., where she previously served as spokesperson from 2022-2024. Super PACs are political organizations that can raise unlimited funds. These funds are used to influence election outcomes, often through advertising, as long as they do not coordinate directly with the candidates they support.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House on 23/7. Photo: AFP

Leavitt expressed that she will miss her work at the White House but emphasized her greater love for her children. She stated she felt "unable to be the best mother her two children deserve if she continued to dedicate all her time, energy, and mind to the demands of the White House press secretary position."

President Trump confirmed Leavitt was leaving to "spend more time with her family and young children." He added that Leavitt will now be one of his "top outside White House advisors" and an influential voice within the Republican party.

Leavitt’s final trip as White House press secretary was on Air Force One, en route to South Carolina for a campaign rally for Senator Darline Graham on 21/8. However, she will still accompany President Trump at the Republican conference in Dallas, Texas, in early September.

Leavitt made history as the youngest press secretary in US history when she joined Trump's second administration. She gave birth to her second child in May and returned to work after maternity leave on 16/7. Before her current role, she served as Deputy White House Press Secretary during Trump’s first term and later as communications director for Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. She also ran for a New Hampshire congressional seat but was defeated by Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas.

President Trump and press secretary Leavitt on Air Force One in 1/2025. Photo: AFP

Following her congressional campaign, Leavitt became a spokesperson for MAGA Inc. She gave birth to her first child while working on Trump's 2024 campaign team, returning to work after only four days of maternity leave.

When asked about Leavitt’s successor, President Trump remarked on 21/8 that he "had never received so many job applications in his life."

According to NBC News, AFP, and Reuters