Karoline Leavitt battled ‘burnout’ in ‘thankless job’ before deciding on WH exit: Report

WASHINGTON, DC: Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s decision to leave her post was reportedly under consideration for months before President Donald Trump announced her departure on Wednesday, August 12.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, the 28-year-old had struggled with the demands of the position after returning from maternity leave in July. Leavitt had given birth to her second child in May and returned to the White House weeks later. She said she ultimately decided she could not balance the demands of the job with raising her two young children.

Karoline Leavitt reportedly weighed leaving during maternity leave

Leavitt returned to the White House on July 16 after giving birth to her daughter in May. According to sources familiar with the matter, she had already been considering whether to leave while she was on maternity leave.

One source close to Leavitt described the decision as one of the most difficult she had ever faced. Another source said Leavitt experienced significant “burnout” after returning to work and struggled with the lack of sleep and demands of the position.

“It was a very stressful job to do with her children. She never got any sleep, and she didn't want her performance to slip either, so she decided to stay as long as she could and do the job well,” the source said.

Another source described the position as a “thankless job” and confirmed that the administration had not settled on a replacement as of now. “She was just trying to figure out how to politely step down with his (Trump’s) blessing,” one source said.

Leavitt, however, described the position as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime,” in her announcement on X. 

A separate source said Leavitt realized soon after returning that she no longer wanted to continue in the position. “First week back she realized she wasn't feeling it anymore,” the source said.

Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary when she took the position in January 2025. She had previously worked as a White House press aide during Trump’s first term and later served as press secretary for his 2024 campaign.

Trump confirms Karoline Leavitt’s departure

Trump announced on Truth Social that Leavitt would leave the White House at the end of this month, saying she wanted to spend more time with her children and family.

“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,” Trump wrote.

Trump called Leavitt “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office” and said she would remain a top outside adviser and an influential voice within the Republican Party.

Leavitt said the demands of the position ultimately led her to reconsider her role after becoming a mother of two. “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,” she wrote.