President-elect Donald Trump has officially named 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt as the new White House press secretary, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Leavitt’s ascent has been swift, beginning as a student assistant for Fox News during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Following her role as assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term, she will now serve as the youngest individual to occupy this demanding position.
“Leavitt is intelligent, resilient, and has demonstrated exceptional communication skills. I am confident she will thrive in this role and effectively convey our message to the American public,” Trump stated in his announcement.
A conservative from New Hampshire, Leavitt has been a prominent figure alongside Trump throughout the 2024 campaign, acting as his spokesperson at rallies and during various court appearances.
As a mother who took just nine days off for maternity leave during the campaign in July, she is a staunch advocate of Trump’s “America First” agenda and shares his critical view of mainstream media outlets.
In a recent Fox News podcast, she expressed her frustrations regarding the media landscape, stating, “I’ve been combating a lot of ‘fake news’ reporters. It pains me to label them that way, but it’s the reality.” She further remarked, “Many journalists today seem disinterested in genuine journalism, and we encounter them daily.”
In her role as press secretary, Leavitt will navigate the intense scrutiny from Trump, who is known for closely monitoring cable news coverage.
Her political journey began when Trump and other candidates visited her university, Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, for a primary debate aired by Fox News. “As one of the few conservatives on campus, I was appointed to assist Fox News during that week. Running around backstage solidified my career aspirations,” she shared on the network’s “The Untold Story” podcast.
She also authored a column for her college newspaper titled “Why Donald Trump Keeps Winning, and the Media Doesn’t Understand,” where she challenged the identity politics prevalent among her peers. “I firmly believe that neither skin color nor gender can hinder one’s success in this country, which is a cornerstone of my conservative views,” she stated.
After departing the White House following Trump’s 2020 election loss, Leavitt ran for a seat in the House of Representatives for New Hampshire during the 2022 midterm elections but was unsuccessful. She subsequently served as a communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whom Trump has nominated as UN ambassador.
When asked about Trump’s evolution in politics as he prepares for another term, she noted his increased experience. “He is now more aware of the ‘deep state’ and the efforts the establishment in Washington, D.C. will undertake to undermine his campaign and achievements,” she remarked.
