Karoline Leavitt Reveals Her Next Move After Leaving the White House

Karoline Leavitt has revealed where she is headed after stepping down as White House press secretary, and her departure does not mean she is leaving President Donald Trump’s political operation behind. Leavitt says she plans to return to MAGA Inc., the Trump-aligned super PAC where she previously worked before taking on prominent communications roles for Trump.

The announcement comes shortly after Trump confirmed on August 12 that Leavitt would leave her White House position at the end of the month. Although she is moving outside the administration, Trump has indicated that Leavitt will remain an important political adviser as Republicans prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.

Leavitt Says She Is Returning to MAGA Inc.

Leavitt disclosed her next move while traveling aboard Air Force One on Friday, August 21, during what was described as her final flight as White House press secretary.

According to PEOPLE, citing NBC News, Leavitt told reporters while traveling to Trump’s South Carolina rally that she intends to return to MAGA Inc. in September. Before doing so, she plans to spend some time with her family.

The move brings Leavitt back to an organization she already knows. She worked for the pro-Trump super PAC before becoming Trump’s national press secretary during his presidential campaign and subsequently joining his administration as White House press secretary.

Her return therefore represents a shift from an official government communications role to an outside political operation rather than a complete departure from Trump’s orbit.

Trump Announced Her Departure on August 12

Trump publicly revealed Leavitt’s planned departure in an August 12 Truth Social post.

He said she would leave the White House role at the end of August so she could spend additional time with her young children and family. Trump also made clear that he expected their professional relationship to continue.

The president said Leavitt would become one of his leading outside advisers and remain an influential Republican voice as the party focused on winning the midterm elections.

Leavitt subsequently reinforced that message herself, saying Trump had asked her to continue advising him from outside the administration.

The arrangement means Leavitt can remain involved politically without maintaining the daily responsibilities that come with being the White House’s chief spokesperson.

Her Departure Follows the Birth of Her Second Child

Family has been a significant part of the timing surrounding Leavitt’s decision.

Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, welcomed their second child in May 2026. She temporarily stepped away from her White House responsibilities for maternity leave before returning to press briefings in mid-July.

Her return meant balancing one of Washington’s most visible communications jobs with life as the mother of two young children.

Trump specifically highlighted Leavitt’s family when announcing her departure, saying that she wanted more time with her children. Her decision to take some time away before starting her next position appears consistent with that explanation.

The MAGA Inc. Role Keeps Her Close to Trump

Returning to MAGA Inc. places Leavitt in a position where she can remain closely connected to Trump’s political priorities.

Super PACs operate independently from candidates and political parties under federal campaign-finance rules, but they can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money advocating for or against political candidates. MAGA Inc. has been a major outside organization supporting Trump and his political agenda.

The exact title and full scope of Leavitt’s new position have not yet been publicly detailed. PEOPLE reported that she said she would be back with MAGA Inc. in September, while Trump characterized her broader future role as that of a top outside adviser.

Her communications experience could become particularly valuable as Republicans intensify their focus on the midterms.

Leavitt Made History as Press Secretary

Leavitt entered the White House with a particularly high public profile.

Born in 1997, she became the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary when she took the position at age 27, surpassing Ron Ziegler, who had been 29 when he became President Richard Nixon’s press secretary in 1969.

Her political communications career began well before her current White House tenure. During Trump’s first administration, she worked in the White House press office. She later served as communications director for Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik and ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022.

After losing that race, Leavitt continued working within Trump’s political network, eventually becoming his national press secretary during the campaign that returned him to the White House.

Her White House Exit Is Not a Political Exit

Leavitt’s next move makes one point especially clear: leaving the White House does not mean leaving politics.

Moving from press secretary to an outside advisory and super PAC role could give her greater flexibility while allowing her to remain involved in Trump’s political operation. Her experience in television interviews, campaign messaging and White House briefings also gives her a recognizable national profile heading into the midterm campaign.

Trump’s own announcement emphasized continuity rather than separation, describing Leavitt as someone he expects to remain influential within Republican politics.

For Leavitt, the coming weeks will first include time with her family. After that, she is expected to return to familiar territory at MAGA Inc. in September.

Her tenure behind the White House briefing-room podium may be ending, but her role in Trump’s political world appears set to continue.

Featured Image: instagram.com/karolineleavitt