'There will never be another like him': Karoline Leavitt says goodbye to White House role

Karoline Leavitt will return to Trump's super PAC MAGA Inc, where she previously served as spokesperson, while continuing as his top outside adviser
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters at the White House, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters at the White House, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


WASHINGTON, DC: Karoline Leavitt used her final interview as White House press secretary to praise President Donald Trump, calling her service under him an “honor and blessing of a lifetime.”

She said she was leaving because her two young children need their mother home more, while she plans to remain a top outside adviser.

Leavitt made the remarks on Thursday, August 27, on Fox News as her White House tenure neared its end on Friday, after 20 months behind the podium.

Karoline Leavitt calls Trump unlike any other president

President Donald Trump talks with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
President Donald Trump talks with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr)

Leavitt said her departure was “a little bit bittersweet,” describing her time as Trump's spokesperson as an extraordinary personal and professional experience.

“There will never be another like him,” Leavitt said of Trump

She also called serving as his spokesperson “the adventure of a lifetime” and said she was grateful he had believed in her.

“It’s been the honor and blessing of a lifetime to work for this president, President Trump,” she said.

President Donald Trump, center, is greeted by Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, right, as he and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, top left, walk from Marine One before boarding Air Force One, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
President Donald Trump and Karoline Leavitt walk from Marine One before boarding Air Force One, Friday, August 14, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md (AP Photo/Luis M Alvarez)

Leavitt said Trump had been understanding of her decision to step back so she could spend more time with her children, who are 2 years old and 4 months old.

“They’re just at a critical time in their life where they need their mom home a little bit more,” she said.

Karoline Leavitt will remain part of Trump's political operation

President Donald Trump looks on as outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at a campaign rally for Sen. Darline Graham. R-S.C., as she competes in a special Republican primary to replace her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)
President Donald Trump looks on as outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at a campaign rally for Sen Darline Graham (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

Leavitt is returning to MAGA Inc, Trump's super PAC, where she previously served as spokesperson before joining the Trump campaign.

She has also said she will continue as a top outside adviser to Trump and indicated she would remain visible around the president.

“You guys will still see me all the time,” Leavitt told reporters earlier this month aboard Air Force One, when she confirmed the trip to Myrtle Beach for a campaign rally would be her last day as press secretary.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions during a news briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on April 8, 2026 in Washington, DC. Leavitt spoke to reporters on a range of topics including a two-week ceasefire deal between the U.S., Iran, and Israel. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Karoline Leavitt takes questions during a news briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on April 8, 2026, in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

She also indicated she would join Trump for the Republican Convention in September.

Trump announced Leavitt's departure earlier this month, saying she would remain “an influential voice within the Republican Party” as he worked toward the midterm elections.

No replacement has been named yet

Trump has not settled on a replacement for Leavitt, according to administration officials close to the situation, as per CBS News.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 02: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles listens as President Donald Trump announces the creation of the U.S. strategic critical minerals reserve during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on February 02, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump, who was joined by manufacturing leaders, administration officials and lawmakers, announced the creation of “Project Vault,” a strategic reserve of rare earth minerals to help protect American manufacturers against potential supply chain disruptions. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles listens as President Donald Trump announces the creation of the US strategic critical minerals reserve during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on February 2, 2026, in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

For now, White House press briefings will rotate among top administration officials rather than members of the White House press and communications staff, the outlet said.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been considering potential replacements, but the process remains ongoing, and there are no front-runners, as per the outlet.  

Republican commentator Scott Jennings had been floated but was considered unlikely to receive the job.

Leavitt's team will remain in place and report to Communications Director Steven Cheung. 

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND - AUGUST 11: (L-R) White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, White House communications advisor Margo Martin and executive assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump Natalie Harp walk to board Air Force One on August 11, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. President Trump is traveling to Ohio to attend the 2026 Patriot Games. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, White House Communications Advisor Margo Martin and Executive Assistant to President Donald Trump Natalie Harp walk to board Air Force One on August 11, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Her executive assistant, Kieghan Nangle, will move into a press wrangler role.

Leavitt said her decision became clearer after returning from maternity leave following the birth of her daughter.

“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,” she wrote on X earlier this month.

She said she was beginning “a new chapter” while continuing to serve Trump from outside the White House.

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