Karoline Leavitt, who became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, is leaving the Trump administration at the end of August, saying the demands of the high-profile job have made it difficult to give enough time to her young family.

President Donald Trump announced Leavitt’s departure on Wednesday, with the 28-year-old press secretary later confirming the decision in a social media post.

Leavitt said the choice was “bittersweet”, explaining that she reached the decision after returning to the White House following the birth of her second child.

Her daughter, Viviana, was born in May. Leavitt also has a 2-year-old son.

She said the demands of serving as White House press secretary require a level of constant time, energy and attention that she does not believe she can maintain while also being the mother her two young children need.

Trump says Leavitt will remain in his political circle

Trump has not announced who will take over the White House press secretary position.

While confirming Leavitt’s exit, however, the president indicated that she would remain involved in his political operation.

Trump said he understood and respected her decision and described Leavitt as someone who would continue to have an influential role around him.

He said she would become one of his top outside advisers and remain an influential voice within the Republican Party as his administration works towards the midterm elections.

Who is Karoline Leavitt?

Leavitt's departure brings an end to her time as the public face of the Trump administration's communications with the news media.

Before joining Trump's 2024 campaign, she worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC backing Trump.

Her political career also included a 2022 congressional bid in New Hampshire. Leavitt won a 10-way Republican primary but was defeated in the general election by incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.

She had previously worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term. She later became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

During her tenure, Leavitt did not conduct White House press briefings as frequently as some of Trump's previous press secretaries.

Trump himself frequently spoke to reporters at White House events and while travelling, while Leavitt was often sent to Fox News and other conservative media outlets to promote the administration's agenda and criticise Democrats and mainstream media outlets.

Trump's previous press secretaries have included Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.

Spicer and Sanders became known for combative exchanges with reporters. Grisham did not conduct a White House briefing, while McEnany frequently took a confrontational approach with the media during her appearances in the briefing room.

With AP inputs