Karoline Leavitt is an American political spokesperson who served as the 36th White House press secretary under Donald Trump from January 2025 until August 27, 2026. She assumed the position at age 27, becoming its youngest holder. Before that appointment, she worked in Trump’s first administration, ran for Congress in New Hampshire, and served as national press secretary for his 2024 presidential campaign. (whitehouse.gov)
Education and early career
A native of New Hampshire in the United States, Leavitt attended Saint Anselm College, where she played softball and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in politics and communication. Her early media experience included an internship with WMUR, work connected with Fox News during the 2016 presidential primary, and employment with NBC Sports Boston. (clickorlando.com)
During Trump’s first presidency, Leavitt worked in the White House and became an assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. After the 2020 election, she became communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik of New York. (anselm.edu)
Congressional campaign and presidential campaign work
In 2022, Leavitt ran for the Republican Party nomination in New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district. She won the primary but lost the general election to incumbent Representative Chris Pappas. She did not serve in Congress. (axios.com)
Leavitt subsequently became national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. On November 15, 2024, following his election victory, Trump announced that she would serve as White House press secretary in his second administration. (apnews.com)
White House press secretary
Leavitt began serving as press secretary in January 2025 and held her first formal White House press briefing on January 28. At that briefing, she answered questions about the administration’s freeze on federal grants and loans and its immigration-enforcement measures. She also announced plans to expand briefing-room access to podcasters, social-media influencers, and other newer media outlets. (clickorlando.com)
Her tenure ended on August 27, 2026, which the White House identified as her final day in office. She said she was leaving to spend more time with her young children. On October 9, Trump announced Katie Zacharia as her successor. (whitehouse.gov)
Subsequent media work
On October 5, 2026, Fox News announced that Leavitt would join the network as an on-air contributor beginning in November. As of October 15, 2026, that appointment had been announced but had not yet begun. (foxnews.com)
References
- Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary, makes her debut in the briefing roomclickorlando.com
- Karoline Leavitt Speaks with Students at NHIOPanselm.edu
- NEVER SURRENDER: Karoline Leavitt’s Historic Tenure as White House Press Secretarywhitehouse.gov
- Karoline Leavitt named Fox News contributor after White House exitfoxnews.com