US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will be departing her post at the end of the month. The 28-year-old, who made history as the youngest person to ever hold the position, noted that her decision was driven by a desire to focus on her family following the birth of her second child earlier this year. Despite her exit from the daily briefing room, Leavitt is expected to remain a significant force within the "Make America Great Again" movement, shifting her focus to an external role as a communications adviser and party strategist.

During her tenure, Leavitt was credited with fundamentally reshaping the administration's media strategy alongside communications director Steven Cheung. Her approach was marked by a bold, often disruptive, stance that favored direct engagement with "new media" outlets, podcasts, and digital creators over the traditional White House press pool. While supporters praised this as a necessary evolution in the modern media landscape, it drew sharp criticism from free press advocates who argued that the administration was intentionally limiting access and hand-picking favorable coverage. Her departure comes at a turbulent time, as the administration navigates ongoing scrutiny regarding its handling of media logistics and high-stakes security protocols.