US President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her post at the end of the month. This will deprive the president of one of his most trusted advisers ahead of the November midterm elections, Reuters reports.
According to statements from Leavitt and Trump, she will serve as an external communications adviser and party operative shaping the future image of the 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) movement.
The 28-year-old Leavitt said in a social media post that she aims to spend more time with her young children. She gave birth to her second daughter in May and recently returned from maternity leave.
'Karoline has been a true leader in the White House and has done tremendous work in the fight for justice, freedom, and liberty since 2018, including our historic re-election campaign in 2024,' Trump said in a social media post, describing Leavitt as 'one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of this office.'
Leavitt called her time in the White House 'the honor and adventure of a lifetime.'
'Being a mother and working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world, while also welcoming a new baby, has been, without exaggeration, the most joyful yet challenging period of my life. The truth is, after returning to the White House following my daughter's birth, I felt in my heart that I could not be the best mother to my two young children while dedicating the constant time, energy, and attention that the role of White House press secretary requires. Therefore, I have made the difficult decision to leave the White House and open a new chapter in my life,' Leavitt explained her decision.
Leavitt joined Trump's 2024 election campaign and served as a transition spokesperson before Trump appointed her as White House press secretary. She became the youngest person ever to hold that position.
During her year and a half in office, Leavitt and White House communications director Steven Cheung shifted the regime's stance toward the media. Some Trump allies welcomed this, while free press advocates criticized it.
The Trump regime abandoned the long-standing system established by the White House Correspondents' Association and began personally selecting which journalists would have access to the president.
Traditionally, the 'press pool' was a system in which an industry group rotated journalists to ensure equal media access to the president and to relay information about his activities to other journalists who cannot attend small meetings.
As part of this process, the Trump regime's press office created a special 'new media' seat in the briefing room, allowing podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital outlets to play a more significant role in covering presidential activities.
Some press advocates praised this step as recognition of the changing media landscape. Others criticized it as a lever the regime could use to favor outlets that disseminate information in a favorable manner.
Source: www.gazeta.uz