Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary, announced on August 12 that she will step down from the position at the end of the month. In a brief statement aboard Air Force One, Leavitt said the decision was driven by a desire to devote more time to her two young children and to support her husband, Nicholas Riccio, who is 60.
Leavitt, 29, confirmed that after leaving the administration she will return to work for MAGA Inc., the Trump‑aligned super PAC she previously served as a spokesperson for before joining the 2024 campaign. She emphasized that she will continue to live in the nation’s capital and remain active in political circles, adding, “You’ll still see me all the time.” She also expressed affection for her family, saying, “I love my kids even more.”
Career milestones
When Leavitt took office at age 27, she set a record as the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history. Her 18‑month tenure makes her the second‑longest‑serving press secretary under former President Donald Trump, behind former Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who held the post for nearly two years during Trump’s first term.
During her time in the briefing room, Leavitt was praised by President Trump on Truth Social, where he called her one of his most trusted aides and one of the best press secretaries in the office’s history. Trump also indicated that Leavitt would continue to serve as an adviser and a voice within the Republican Party.
Farewell gathering
Political strategist and podcast host Katie Miller organized a farewell gathering for Leavitt before her final days in the briefing room. The event featured press‑room‑themed refreshments, including a podium‑shaped cake and cookies decorated with the phrase “no more questions.”
Leavitt’s departure comes at a time when the Trump administration continues to shape the political landscape ahead of the 2024 election cycle. Her move back to MAGA Inc. signals a continued alignment with the former president’s political network and suggests she will remain a prominent figure in national political communications.
Family background
Leavitt and Riccio are parents to a son and a daughter, both born in May. The family resides in Washington, D.C., where Leavitt plans to maintain her residence while pursuing her new role with the super PAC.
The transition underscores the revolving door between the White House and political action committees, a pattern common among senior staffers who move between government service and partisan advocacy groups.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
