Karoline Leavitt is not stepping away from President Donald Trump’s political operation after leaving the White House.
The outgoing White House press secretary confirmed Friday that she will rejoin MAGA Inc., the Trump-aligned super PAC, giving the 28-year-old Republican communicator a prominent new role outside the administration as the GOP heads into the crucial 2026 midterm elections.
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Leavitt revealed her plans while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, confirming that she will return to an organization she previously represented before joining Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
“You guys will still see me all the time,” Leavitt told reporters.
Her move comes after Trump announced earlier this month that Leavitt would leave the White House at the end of August to devote more time to her family.
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The departure ends a history-making tenure for Leavitt, who became the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history when Trump returned to office in January 2025.
But rather than leaving Trump’s orbit entirely, Leavitt will move from one of the administration’s most visible positions to the president’s outside political operation at a crucial moment for Republicans.
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The move also represents something of a homecoming.
Before serving as national press secretary for Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign, Leavitt worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc.
She previously served in the White House press office during Trump’s first administration.
Leavitt explained when announcing her departure that the demands of serving as press secretary had become increasingly difficult to balance with raising her two young children.
She recently returned to the White House following the birth of her daughter in May.
“Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” Leavitt wrote when announcing her decision.
She described leaving the administration as a “bittersweet decision,” explaining that motherhood ultimately played the decisive role.
“Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least.”
Leavitt said she had concluded that the extraordinary time commitment required by the position prevented her from being the kind of mother she wanted to be while simultaneously carrying out one of Washington’s most demanding communications jobs.
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Still, she made clear from the beginning that her departure from the West Wing would not mean abandoning Trump or the MAGA movement.
“President Trump has asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside, and I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party.”
“My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over.”
Trump offered strong praise for Leavitt while announcing her departure, describing her as one of his most trusted aides and signaling that she would continue playing an influential role in Republican politics.
“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 said.
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The president also praised Leavitt’s performance behind the White House podium and during his political campaigns.
“Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!”
Vice President JD Vance similarly praised Leavitt, pointing specifically to her ability to defend Trump’s agenda while facing an often-adversarial press corps.
“Karoline Leavitt has one of the hardest jobs in the Administration — dealing with the relentless attacks from the fake news media. She did the job with grace, wit and a smile on her face. She’s been one of the most effective voices in articulating and defending the President’s agenda, and I’m incredibly grateful to her.”
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White House chief of staff Susie Wiles called Leavitt “nothing short of extraordinary,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and FBI Director Kash Patel were among other administration officials who publicly praised her tenure.
The transition also leaves Trump with an important vacancy to fill.
As of Monday, the president had not publicly announced who would succeed Leavitt as White House press secretary.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
