United States: Donald Trump has announced that Karoline Leavitt, his campaign spokeswoman, will perform as White House press secretary in his next administration. At just 27 years old, Leavitt will become the youngest individual to ever hold the position, surpassing Ron Ziegler, who was 29 when selected by Richard Nixon in 1969.
In a statement, the president-elect praised Leavitt as “smart, tough, and a highly effective communicator,” adding faith in her ability to “excel at the podium” and deliver the administration’s message. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, holds a degree in communications and political science from Saint Anselm College. Her political career began with internships at Fox News and the White House press office during Trump’s first administration.
Shortly after graduating in 2019, she joined the White House staff as a presidential writer and later became assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. Leavitt’s campaign website during her 2022 congressional run, stated that, “I helped prepare Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany for high-pressure briefings and fought against the biased mainstream media.”
Following her White House tenure, Leavitt served as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has been appointed as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Leavitt later established a bid for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2022, winning the Republican nomination but losing to Democrat Chris Pappas in the general election.
Leavitt joined Trump’s campaign in January 2024 as press secretary, cementing her role as a key member of his inner circle. Now poised to step into the White House briefing room, she will encounter the challenge of managing the often-contentious relationship between the administration and the press—a hallmark of Trump’s previous term.
Trump cycled through several press secretaries during his first term, including Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany. While Sanders has since become governor of Arkansas, Grisham has turned into a vocal Trump critic, and McEnany remains a distinguished supporter as a Fox News commentator.
Leavitt’s tenure as press secretary is anticipated to highlight Trump’s policy priorities, including border security, tax cuts, and support for law enforcement. As the youngest press secretary in history, her performance behind the podium will undoubtedly draw substantial public and media attention.