White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
President Donald Trump announced that long-time White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving her post and her critics are elated to see her go.
"Our wonderful White House Press Secretary and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!" Trump wrote.
Leavitt had been on maternity leave from late April until her return for the first press conference on July 16.
Trump went on to call her "one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office."
In a long message on X, Leavitt said, "The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life."
She thanked her husband and family for their support in helping her serve in the administration.
Status News reporter Natalie Korach caught a brief note at the end of Leavitt's post: "Interesting flag at the bottom of this post: 'Made with AI.'"
Latika M. Bourke, of the Australian daily digital newspaper "The Nightly," also spotted the note, highlighting it with the large eyes emoji.
CBS News night assignment editor Ryan Sprouse also noticed the AI note.
"Karoline Leavitt is leaving the White House to lie elsewhere," cracked Mrs. Betty Bowers.
Some questioned whether Leavitt knew she was leaving before Trump announced it. Though her message appeared moments after Trump made the announcement.
Others needled, "Leavitt is finally embracing her tradwife era—she’ll leave her position as press secretary at the end of the month. She is leaving to 'spend more time with her beautiful young children and family.' And that’s understandable… I’m sure nursing a husband older than my dad requires much of her attention."
The post refers to Leavitt's husband being 32 years her senior.
Zeteo's Justin Baragona noted: "Guys, you really need to see how Fox News is describing Karoline Leavitt—who was on the front lines of Trump's war on the media—as she leaves the White House. 'She also found that really good balance with reporters... friends with pretty much everybody who works the beat in one way or another.'"
During Trump's first term, Sarah Huckabee Sanders served in the post for one year and 345 days, Stephanie Grisham did the job for 281 days, and Kayleigh McEnany was the final Trump press secretary for 288 days.
When President Joe Biden entered the White House amid the global pandemic, he held a video conference to swear in officials. He not only thanked those serving, but also noted his thanks for the families of the staff who also help, as staff and officials dedicate so much time and work to the job.