United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has named Karoline Leavitt as the White House press secretary, making her the youngest individual ever to hold the position.
At just 27, Leavitt’s rapid ascent in the Republican Party has positioned her at the center of Trump’s administration for his second term in office.
Leavitt’s political journey began modestly as a student assistant for Fox News during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
This pivotal role not only introduced her to the fast-paced world of political media but also inspired her career path. As Trump acknowledged in his official statement, her selection for the high-pressure role was based on merit:
“Leavitt is smart and tough and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American People.”
Leavitt’s early foray into politics occurred during her time as a student at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
When the campus hosted a primary debate in 2016, she was chosen to assist the Fox News team. This experience solidified her conservative values and her resolve to make a difference in politics.
“As one of the lone conservatives on campus, they appointed me to be an assistant running around that week for Fox News,” she recalled. “I was just running around backstage, and that’s when I decided what I wanted to do with my career.”
During her college years, she also wrote a provocative column for the student newspaper titled Why Donald Trump Just Keeps on Winning, and the Media Doesn’t Get It.
In the piece, she criticized identity politics and championed the belief that personal success in America is not constrained by race or gender.
“I didn’t believe … that the color of your skin or your gender can hold you back in this country. I don’t believe that’s true. That’s the foundation of my conservative beliefs,” she said during a Fox News podcast.
After graduating, Leavitt steadily rose through Republican Party ranks. She joined the Trump administration as an assistant press secretary during his first term, gaining firsthand experience with the challenges of the role.
Following Trump’s loss in 2020, she pivoted to serve as communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a key Trump ally and his nominee for UN ambassador.
In 2022, Leavitt ran for a congressional seat in New Hampshire during the midterm elections. Though her bid was unsuccessful, it cemented her reputation as a fearless conservative voice.
Leavitt returned to Trump’s inner circle in 2024, becoming a prominent fixture in his campaign as a spokeswoman. She not only defended Trump’s policies at rallies but also during his legal battles, accompanying him to multiple court appearances.
Her commitment to the campaign was unwavering, even as she became a mother in July. She took only nine days off to give birth to her son, demonstrating her dedication to the cause.
Leavitt’s alignment with Trump’s “America First” agenda has been evident in her staunch criticisms of traditional media and her refusal to back down from contentious debates.
“There are a lot of journalists who aren’t interested in journalism anymore, and we deal with them every day,” she said during a recent Fox News podcast. “I hate to call them that, but it’s true.”
Her fiery rhetoric has made her a polarizing figure, but Trump’s confidence in her abilities remains steadfast. As press secretary, Leavitt will face intense scrutiny, particularly from a media landscape often at odds with the Trump administration.
Reflecting on Trump’s growth since his first presidency, Leavitt emphasized his deeper understanding of Washington’s inner workings:
“I think he is more wise about the ‘deep state,’ the establishment in Washington DC, and the lengths to which they were willing to go to derail his campaign and his success.”
Leavitt’s historic appointment signals a new chapter for the White House press office, where her youth, resilience, and sharp communication skills are expected to play a central role in delivering Trump’s agenda to the nation.
