Departing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a simple piece of advice to her yet-to-be-named successor: remember that President Donald Trump is his “own best spokesperson.”
Leavitt told reporters on Thursday outside the West Wing that she and White House communications director Steven Cheung joke that Trump is the “true communications director and press secretary.”
“Just understanding that, knowing that, and believing in the mission,” she said. “I think you guys can all see I believe so much in my heart about what this president is doing every day, the policies he’s enacting. It’s been an honor to speak on behalf of him, and to understand his thinking, and relay it to all of you, but also to the country over the past 20 months, and then again before that on the campaign.”
Leavitt promised that she would “still be around,” but on “the other side,” so she can spend more time with her young family.
Leavitt gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May, after giving birth to her son, Nicholas, during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Leavitt confirmed to the Washington Examiner last week that she would be returning to Make America Great Again Inc. to help Trump and Republicans before November’s midterm elections.
Leavitt also shared on Thursday what she would and would not miss as White House press secretary after becoming the youngest person to be appointed to the role at 27.
“I’ll miss you guys,” she said. “I know that’s probably not something anyone would expect me to say, but obviously it’s been great working with all of you.”
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The Trump confidante added that the public may not understand that press briefings and TV appearances comprise “10%” of a White House press secretary’s responsibilities.
“Ninety percent of it is taking all of your calls at 5 in the morning and 11 p.m. at night, and I won’t really miss that,” she said. “But I will miss working with you guys every day. So thanks for being colleagues, and I know the president will continue to take your calls and provide you with statements every day until he assumes a replacement for the role.”