Trump names Karoline Leavitt to serve as White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt has been tapped to be President-elect Donald Trump’s press secretary and she’ll be the youngest to ever hold the role.
"Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary," Trump said in a statement. "Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we Make America Great Again."
At just 27, Leavitt is currently the spokesperson for Trump’s transition and worked on the White House press team during Trump’s first term in office.
What does the press secretary do?
The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps.
Who is Karoline Leavitt?
Karoline Leavitt is seen leaving Trump Tower on April 25, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, is seen as a staunch and camera-ready advocate for Trump who is quick on her feet and delivers aggressive defenses of the Republican in television interviews.
She worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.
During Trump’s first term in office, Leavitt worked in the White House press office. She then became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, whom Trump has tapped to serve as his U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Trump’s past press secretaries
Trump’s first press secretaries, Sean Spicer and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, were known for quarreling with reporters. Another, Stephanie Grisham, never held a briefing. Her successor, Kayleigh McEnany, often lectured the news media during her appearances in the White House press briefing room.