US: Karoline Leavitt to step down as Trump's spokesperson

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Tuesday that she will be leaving her position at the end of the month, according to a statement from President Donald Trump. The 28-year-old, who assumed the role in January 2025, cited the desire to spend more time with her young children and family as her reason for departing.

Trump expressed his understanding and respect for her decision in a post on his Truth Social platform. Leavitt, who was the youngest-ever White House press secretary, has been a prominent defender of the MAGA movement and a key figure in promoting Trump's ideology. She recently returned from parental leave after the birth of her second child in May and has a 2-year-old son.

Leavitt's tenure was marked by her staunch defense of Trump's hard-line policies and her frequent denigration of mainstream media outlets. Despite her devotion to the president, her departure marks a significant change in the administration's public relations strategy.