Trump shares cheek-kiss with Karoline Leavitt at South Carolina rally: ‘I’m going to miss her’

Leavitt was spotted alongside Trump shortly after their arrival at Joint Base Andrews, having traveled aboard Marine One with the president. Wearing a pale blue blazer over a white outfit and oversized dark sunglasses, the press secretary stood nearby as Trump spoke with reporters before the group continued on to South Carolina.

Leavitt appeared relaxed as she traveled with the president. The outing comes during a transitional period for the White House communications operation following Leavitt's decision to step away from the high-profile role. She previously described her decision to leave as "bittersweet," bringing an end to a tenure in which she became one of the administration's most recognizable public faces.

Trump invited his outgoing press secretary to join him onstage during the Myrtle Beach rally, turning part of the campaign event into a public farewell for one of the most recognizable members of his White House team. Leavitt received an enthusiastic reception, smiling as those around her applauded. The moment carried added significance given that her time as Trump's press secretary is drawing to a close. She has been a prominent defender of the president both from the White House podium and during his travels around the country.

Leavitt used the moment to thank the president directly. “It has been the honor of my life to serve as your White House press secretary, sir, it really has,” she told Trump. The appearance came just days after Leavitt announced she would leave the White House at the end of August to spend more time with her family. She has said she plans to return to Trump-aligned political work and expects to travel with the president again for the Republican midterm convention in Dallas in September.

Trump later gave Leavitt an affectionate greeting, embracing his outgoing press secretary and leaning in for a cheek-kiss as she smiled. He had offered his own warm assessment of Leavitt earlier in the day, telling reporters, “I’m going to miss her,” before adding, “Karoline, I gotta stand next to her, I feel so good with her.” After roughly a year and a half as Trump’s chief White House spokesperson, she stood alongside the president at one of her final rallies in the job before the two shared a warm goodbye in front of supporters.