Atkinson Native Karoline Leavitt To Leave White House Spox Gig At End Of Month

By Michael Graham, NH Journal

New Hampshire native and former GOP congressional nominee Karoline Leavitt is leaving her post as White House press secretary at the end of the month, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.

“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Leavitt earned rave reviews from Republicans and grudging respect from Democrats for the skillful way she handled her job, particularly the contentious White House press briefings.

The Atkinson native and Saint Anselm College graduate became the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history when she took the job at age 27 in January 2025. She surpassed Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he became Richard Nixon’s press secretary in 1969.

“Karoline was mocked by liberals and praised by Republicans for her performance at the podium that redefined one of the hardest jobs in politics,” said Republican communications professional and Nashua native Matthew Bartlett. “Her role as an advisor and confidant to the president even had some speculating she could eventually become chief of staff.”

Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, told NHJournal he’s not surprised by Leavitt’s success.

“She has shown she has extraordinary talent at communicating as she flawlessly navigated one of the toughest gigs in Washington, all the while remaining true to her New Hampshire roots.

“What we learned when she was a student at the NHIOP is that she’s also an absolutely wonderful person,” Levesque added.

Leavitt and her husband, New Hampshire real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, have two children. She will remain involved as an outside adviser and influential Republican voice heading into the midterm elections, Trump said. He has not announced her replacement.

She began her political career in Trump’s first administration, working in the White House press office and later serving as an assistant press secretary. She went on to become communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Leavitt returned to New Hampshire in 2022 and won the Republican nomination in the 1st Congressional District, losing the general election to Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas.

She later served as national press secretary for Trump’s successful 2024 campaign before being selected as the administration’s chief spokesperson.

During her tenure, Leavitt became known for her cool handling of aggressive reporters from left-of-center news outlets during heated White House press briefings. She also earned praise for her effort to expand White House access for podcasters, influencers, and other new media outlets.

“Beyond politics, she became a cultural icon — and sometimes lightning rod — who helped define the times. Dismissed by spiteful Democrats as ‘MAGA Barbie,’ in some ways she became the right’s version of Taylor Swift and the social media fascination about her life and new family,” Bartlett said.

“Karoline Leavitt has made New Hampshire proud,” said state GOP Chairman Scott Maltzie. “From the Granite State to the White House podium, Karoline has shown what can happen when talented, hardworking young Granite Staters step up to serve. She has represented President Trump and his agenda with strength, intelligence, and determination, and she has never backed down from tough questions.”

“We wish her nothing but the very best in this next chapter.”

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This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.