Karoline Leavitt has officially reached her final day at the White House. The outgoing press secretary is stepping away after more than 19 months in President Donald Trump’s second administration. However, one major question remains unresolved. Trump has yet to decide who will take over one of his administration’s most visible jobs.
Karoline Leavitt says goodbye to the White House as Trump considers who will replace her
During a Thursday interview on NewsNation’s Morning in America, Leavitt described her final day as a “very surreal feeling.”
She also called serving as White House press secretary the “adventure of a lifetime.” Leavitt, 29, said she made the difficult decision because she wanted more time with her two young children.
Leavitt welcomed daughter Viviana in May and returned from maternity leave in July. She also shares 2-year-old son Niko with husband Nicholas Riccio.
Still, Leavitt will not completely leave Trump’s political orbit. As People reported, she plans to return to the Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. in September. She will also continue advising the president from outside the White House.
That advisory role already extends to the search for her successor. Leavitt said she has offered Donald Trump her input as he considers candidates for the press secretary job. “There is definitely a list,” she said, while declining to reveal any names.
Trump has yet to settle on Leavitt’s replacement. Several names have surfaced publicly, including Scott Jennings, Anna Kelly, Steven Cheung and Katie Miller.
Trump also recently floated Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams while she interviewed him. However, he has not formally offered her the position.
Until Trump makes a decision, administration officials are expected to rotate through briefing duties. The White House used a similar arrangement while Leavitt was on maternity leave.
Leavitt first announced her White House exit earlier this month. Although her time behind the podium has ended, she made clear that her work with Trump will continue.
