Overview
- Karoline Leavitt stepped down from the White House podium on Thursday, August 27, and delivered an emotional farewell before leaving the press secretary role.
- Leavitt will rejoin MAGA Inc. as a top outside adviser to President Trump and said she intends to remain involved in choosing and advising her successor.
- The White House has not named a permanent replacement, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is leading the search, and multiple candidates have been floated but reporters say there are no confirmed front‑runners.
- For now, senior administration officials will rotate to lead briefings instead of a single press secretary, with Leavitt’s team remaining in place under Communications Director Steven Cheung.
- The transition sharpens operational risks for West Wing messaging before the midterms because Leavitt’s recent maternity leave reduced regular briefings and exposed gaps that a permanent hire would need to fill.