Karoline Leavitt Reveals Next Move as She Takes Final Air Force One Trip as White House Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt took her final trip aboard Air Force One as White House press secretary Friday, accompanying President Donald Trump to South Carolina before preparing to leave the administration at the end of August.
Leavitt, who will turn 29 on Monday, told reporters aboard the presidential aircraft that leaving the White House will be bittersweet. She has served as one of the administration’s most recognizable public figures but decided to step away shortly after giving birth to her second child in May.
“I’m gonna miss this job, but I love my kids even more,” Leavitt said while discussing her departure. Her decision will give her additional flexibility to spend time with her husband and two young children while remaining involved in Trump’s political movement.
Leavitt revealed that she will join MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump political action committee that is expected to play an important role in Republican campaigning ahead of the November midterm elections. The move means she will remain closely connected to Trump even after leaving the White House.
Her first major assignment in the new position is already taking shape. Leavitt said she plans to accompany Trump to Dallas in mid-September for the GOP midterm convention, meaning she expects to be back aboard the presidential plane only weeks after taking her final flight as press secretary.
Before beginning the new job, Leavitt plans to take a brief vacation in her native New Hampshire. She will then return to Washington, DC, where she will begin working in her new political role.
Trump made clear that he is disappointed to lose one of his most prominent White House messengers. “I’m gonna miss her,” he said before boarding Air Force One for Friday’s trip to South Carolina.
Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in American history when she assumed the position at 27. She quickly became a highly visible member of the administration, regularly defending Trump’s policies during contentious exchanges with the White House press corps.
Attention has now shifted toward who will replace her behind the briefing-room podium. A senior administration official described the search as an “open book,” indicating that Trump has not yet settled on his next press secretary.
One possibility publicly mentioned by Trump is conservative CNN commentator Scott Jennings. Asked about reports that Jennings could be under consideration, Trump responded that “Scott Jennings is good.” He also jokingly floated longtime aide Margo Martin, who has developed a substantial following by posting behind-the-scenes footage from the administration.
Leavitt’s departure therefore won’t mark the end of her involvement in Trump’s political operation. After a short break with her family, she will move from representing the administration inside the White House to working with MAGA Inc. as Republicans head into the final stretch of the 2026 midterm campaign.