Karoline Leavitt, the youngest individual to ever hold the position of White House Press Secretary, is set to depart her role at the end of the month. President Donald Trump announced her departure on Wednesday, expressing his understanding and respect for her decision. Leavitt, who recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her second child in May, will now serve as one of Trump’s top outside advisors and a influential voice within the Republican Party.
Leavitt’s tenure has been marked by her sharp exchanges with reporters, often echoing President Trump’s contentious relationship with the press. Her departure comes as she seeks to balance her professional responsibilities with her family life.
Leavitt’s Notable Exchanges with the Press
Throughout her time in office, Leavitt has had several memorable interactions with journalists. Here are some of the most notable moments:
Heated Exchange Over Tariffs
In, Leavitt had a heated exchange with Josh Boak of The Associated Press regarding Trump’s tariff policies. Boak questioned why Trump was prioritizing tariffs, which he described as tax hikes, instead of the tax cuts Trump had promised during his 2026 campaign. Leavitt defended the tariffs, stating they were a tax cut for the American people and not a tax hike on foreign countries. The exchange escalated when Boak pointed out that tariffs are actually paid by importers, leading Leavitt to accuse him of being insulting.
Dismissing a Question as Stupid
During a press briefing, Leavitt dismissed a question from NOTUS reporter Jasmine Wright as stupid. Wright had asked Leavitt to clarify what kind of protests President Trump supports, following Trump’s warning that protesters at an upcoming military parade would be met with force. Leavitt initially stated that Trump supports peaceful protests but then dismissed Wright’s follow-up question as stupid.
Abrupt Ending to a Briefing
In February, Leavitt abruptly ended a press briefing after a reporter questioned the White House’s support for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Leavitt defended Lutnick but then criticized the media for focusing on the issue instead of the administration’s victories. She listed several positive news items before ending the briefing and stating that Trump would be available the next day to discuss the administration’s energy policy.
Accusing a Journalist of Bias
In January, Leavitt accused The Hill columnist Niall Stanage of being a leftwing activist after he questioned ICE’s tactics following the death of Renee Nicole Good. Stanage had cited statistics about deaths in ICE custody and Good’s death, asking how this equated to ICE doing everything correctly. Leavitt responded by accusing Stanage of being biased and posing as a journalist.
Challenging a Reporter to Find Evidence
In, Leavitt challenged CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins to find evidence supporting Trump’s claim that some of Biden’s pardons were signed by an autopen without his knowledge. This exchange was one of several heated interactions between Leavitt and Collins.
Leavitt’s Background and Career
Leavitt, 28, has been a visible advocate for Trump’s Make America Great Again movement. Before joining the White House, she worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc. and ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2026. During Trump’s first term, she served as a press aide in the White House press office and later became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.
Leavitt’s briefings in the White House press room were less frequent than those of her predecessors. Trump often deployed her to Fox News and other conservative outlets to promote his agenda and criticize Democrats and the mainstream media. Her predecessors, including Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Kayleigh McEnany, were known for their contentious relationships with the press.
As Leavitt steps down, she leaves behind a legacy of defending the administration’s policies and engaging in spirited debates with the media. Her departure marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in her life, as she focuses on her family and continues to be a influential voice within the Republican Party.
