The White House spokesperson leaves office a few months before the legislative elections
Amidst Trump's growing unpopularity, Leavitt argues that he is leaving the job to spend more time with family
WashingtonUS President Donald Trump announced this Wednesday afternoon that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her post at the end of the month. In a post on Truth Social, the commander-in-chief explained that Leavitt is stepping down to be with her family. Recently, the White House spokeswoman had been on maternity leave after having her second child. "From now on, she will be one of my top advisors outside the administration, and an influential voice within the party as we work to win the midterm elections," the commander-in-chief wrote.
Leavitt's step aside is surprising given Trump's apparent high regard for her and because it comes just months before the legislative elections. The president's growing unpopularity due to the Iran war and the rising cost of living significantly complicate the Republicans' chances of retaining control of Congress after November 3. Trump has not yet announced who will replace the 28-year-old woman, who has made history as one of the youngest press secretaries the US government has had.
Shortly after, in a post on X, Leavitt shared an extensive text explaining the reasons for her withdrawal. "The truth is, since returning to the White House after my daughter's birth, I feel in my heart that I cannot be the best mother my two young children deserve while dedicating the constant time, energy, and attention required by the role of White House Press Secretary," she wrote.
Leavitt is the latest of many departures from the Trump administration and one of the few with a supposed voluntary character. Over the past year and a half, the US president had already dismissed National Security Secretary Kristi Noem; Attorney General Pam Bondi; or National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Paradoxically, a few months ago Leavitt held herself up as an example of how it was possible to balance both things and used it as a criticism against those women who prefer to prioritize their careers. The press secretary made the comment during a press conference about the Trump administration's plans to encourage birth rates in the country.
Leavitt's departure announcement coincides with the same week that Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared her process for starting to freeze eggs on social media. With this decision, Ocasio-Cortez has brought the costs of in vitro fertilization in the United States and the difficulties many women face in the country to access it to the center of the debate.
The progressive's announcement had already revolutionized social media, with many Trumpist followers attacking her for not having had children yet. Some, in fact, had held up Leavitt as an opposing example.
In parallel, the decision also comes after it became known that Trump was moved to a secret flight when returning from Turkey due to fears of an Iranian attack against the old Air Force One. In addition to the journalists and the aircraft's crew, high-ranking administration officials, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, were also kept on the threatened flight, according to the New York Times. New York Times.
