Emotional Karoline Leavitt delivers poignant message on last day as Trump press secretary

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered an emotional farewell today on her last day in the role, calling her tenure behind the briefing room podium 'the adventure of a lifetime' while offering parting advice to her eventual successor.Speaking live from the North Lawn during a broadcast on Fox & Friends before taking final questions from White House reporters, the 28-year-old, the youngest press secretary in American history, admitted the moment was deeply personal as she prepares to trade daily White House battles for family life.'It's a little bit bittersweet,' Leavitt admitted. 'It's bitter because I'm leaving a job that I love so very much, and it's been the honor and blessing of a lifetime to work for this president, President Trump. There will never be another like him.'Earlier, in an interview on NewsNation's Morning in America, her first television appearance following her departure announcement, Leavitt pulled back the curtain on the grueling reality of balancing motherhood.Reflecting on her transition, she explained, 'I've served the president the best I can and he deserves the press secretary who can be here on the clock, literally 24 seven. That's what the job requires. And sometimes in life you just can't have it all at the same time. And I realize I'm at that moment in my life right now.'On Fox, Leavitt elaborated that balancing the 24/7 demands of the briefing room with raising a two-year-old and a four-month-old ultimately drove her decision to step aside, sharing that her children are 'just at a critical time in their life where they need their mom home a little bit more.'She offered glowing praise for President Donald Trump, calling him an 'understanding boss and a friend' who backed her when critics questioned her age.'So many people told him when he was considering me for this job... that I was too young,' she recalled. 'He ignored all the doubters and he gave me a chance. I am forever grateful to him for that. He is not only the best president our nation has ever had, but he is the best boss.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered an emotional farewell today on her last day in the role, calling her tenure behind the briefing room podium 'the adventure of a lifetime' while offering parting advice to her eventual successor Speaking live from the North Lawn during a broadcast on Fox & Friends before taking final questions from White House reporters, the 28-year-old, the youngest press secretary in American history, admitted the moment was deeply personal as she prepares to trade daily White House battles for family life Leavitt (pictured carrying her son Niko in April) has spent months mulling the decision, say insidersWhen pressed on Morning in America about a potential replacement for the podium, Leavitt kept her cards close to her chest regarding specific candidates.'It is a decision that is entirely up to him. Obviously, whoever takes this job, you spend a lot of time with the president,' she noted, adding, 'There is definitely a list, and there's a lot of good people. I won't say any names or break any news on that front.'Shortly after her morning television appearances, Leavitt shared a rare heartfelt moment directly with reporters outside the White House.'I'll miss you guys,' Leavitt told the press corps. 'I know that's probably not something anyone would expect me to say, but obviously it's been great working with all of you. What people don't realize about this job: the briefings and what I just did on TV is 10 percent. 90 percent of it is taking all of your calls at five in the morning and 11 p.m. at night, and I won't really miss that. But I will miss working with you guys every day.'When asked what advice she has for whoever takes over her post, Leavitt emphasized that the key to managing the briefing room is recognizing who holds the real microphone in the administration.'I think it's most important in this job to understand that President Trump is his own best spokesperson,' Leavitt said. 'We joke, Stephen Cheung and me, that he is the true communications director and press secretary here at the White House, and just understanding that, knowing that, and believing in the mission.'Leavitt is leaving her role to join President Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc. as an outside advisor. While Leavitt is relinquishing the podium, she made it clear she isn't stepping away from the administration's orbit entirely, confirming she will continue to serve as a top adviser to the commander-in-chief on the outside through the upcoming midterms.Never one to stay off-message, Leavitt quickly pivoted to outline Trump's campaign push ahead of November. When pressed on Morning in America about a potential replacement for the podium, Leavitt kept her cards close to her chest regarding specific candidates Reflecting on her transition, she explained, 'I've you know served the president the best I can and he deserves the press secretary who can be here on the clock, literally 24 seven. That's what the job requires. And sometimes in life you just can't have it all at the same time. And I realize I'm at that moment in my life right now' Karoline Leavitt gave birth to her second child in May Trump and Leavitt outside the White House on July 15 She revealed the president is touching down in Houston for a high-dollar RNC fundraiser tonight to expand the Republican cash advantage before visiting the Johnson Space Center tomorrow alongside NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. During the visit, Trump plans to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the historic Artemis II crew and highlight his establishment of the Space Force.When asked about the president's commitment to help down-ballot Republicans win in November, Leavitt dismissed doubts about GOP prospects and highlighted Trump's relentless schedule.'The president is wholeheartedly committed to helping Republicans across the board retain the majority,' she insisted. Before wrapping up her broadcast appearances, Fox & Friends surprised Leavitt with a montage of her most viral briefing room clashes, showcasing her signature combativeness. The clips featured lines where she slammed a journalist as a 'left-wing hack,' reminded French critics that 'it's only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,' and joked about Canada becoming America's '51st state.'Former George W. Bush Press Secretary Dana Perino joined the broadcast to salute Leavitt's tenure, praising her ability to handle high-stakes pressure with 'poise, grace, wit, and grit.''If you had a question for Karoline about the president or the government, and you went to her and she told you the answer, you could take it to the bank because she had access to the president and the trust of the president,' Perino said.As Leavitt wrapped her brief exchange with reporters to head to a final meeting in Chief of Staff Susie Wiles' office, she maintained that she will remain a key voice in Trump's political inner circle. Trump speaks to the media after disembarking Marine One, before boarding Air Force One White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters at the White HouseKaroline Leavitt appeared forlorn as she accompanied Donald Trump just hours after announcing she is to quit the White House in a move that stunned Washington The Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been secretly wining and dining CNN political commentator Scott Jennings (pictured at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April, 2025) for the top communications jobLeavitt's shock departure sparked a scramble inside the White House, with her exit with less than three months to go before crucial midterm elections in November.Insiders told the Daily Mail she had suffered 'burnout' after being rushed back to work by the president.'It was a constant stream of messages from him [during maternity leave] and it was overwhelming,' one insider explained.'It was a very stressful job to do with her children. She never got any sleep, and she didn't want her performance to slip either, so she decided to stay as long as she could and do the job well.'The president did everything he could to keep her.'