United States President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Karoline Leavitt, a 27-year-old conservative from New Hampshire, as his new White House press secretary. This historic appointment makes Leavitt the youngest person to hold the high-pressure role.
Leavitt’s rise has been swift, beginning as a student assistant for Fox News during Trump’s 2016 campaign. She later served as an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first presidency. Her return to the White House comes after her role as a prominent campaign spokeswoman during Trump’s 2024 rallies and court appearances.
“Karoline is smart, tough, and an outstanding communicator,” Trump said in his announcement. “I have complete confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American people.”
Known for her staunch support of Trump’s “America First” agenda, Leavitt has often criticized traditional media. In a recent Fox News podcast, she remarked on the challenges of combating misinformation during the campaign, stating, “There are a lot of journalists who aren’t interested in journalism anymore.”
Leavitt’s political journey began during her university days in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she assisted Fox News at a 2016 primary debate. Her conservative beliefs were cemented early, as she penned a college column defending Trump’s appeal and opposing “identity politics.”
Following Trump’s 2020 election loss, Leavitt unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2022 and later served as communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who Trump has tapped as his UN ambassador nominee.
Reflecting on Trump’s readiness for his second term, Leavitt noted, “He’s wiser about the ‘deep state’ and the lengths they’ll go to derail his success.”
As press secretary, Leavitt faces the dual challenge of navigating intense media scrutiny and maintaining Trump’s trust in her role as the administration’s top spokesperson.
