‘Thankless Job, No Sleep’: Trump Urged Karoline Leavitt to Return From Maternity Leave Before She Quit

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to leave her position at the end of August, ending the tenure of one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent and trusted aides.

Leavitt, 28, returned to the White House briefing room on July 16, just weeks after giving birth to her second child in May. However, her return to the demanding role was brief, with people familiar with the matter saying she had already been considering stepping down during her maternity leave, according to the Daily Mail.

Leavitt Cites Challenges of Motherhood

Explaining her decision, Leavitt said balancing motherhood with the demands of serving as White House press secretary had become increasingly difficult.

She described the period as both rewarding and challenging, saying she ultimately felt unable to give her two young children the time and attention they deserved while maintaining the intense workload required by the position.

Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, have two children, including a two-year-old son and a daughter born in May.

Trump Wanted Her Back

According to people familiar with the situation, Trump remained in regular contact with Leavitt while she was on maternity leave and repeatedly asked when she would return.

Sources cited by the Daily Mail said the president did not want her to leave because he trusted her and valued her role within his administration.

However, returning to work reportedly made the challenges of balancing the job and family even more apparent. One source described Leavitt as experiencing extreme burnout, saying she struggled with the demanding schedule and lack of sleep while trying to maintain her performance.

Another insider described the press secretary’s position as a “thankless job” and said finding a replacement would be difficult.

Leavitt Considered Leaving Soon After Return

Sources said Leavitt began reconsidering her return almost immediately after resuming her duties.

According to people familiar with the matter, she had privately discussed stepping down for around two months and was looking for a way to leave with Trump’s approval.

The decision ultimately came despite Trump’s efforts to retain her. Sources said the president valued her loyalty and did not want to bring another person into his inner circle.

Trump Praises Leavitt After Resignation

Trump responded to Leavitt’s announcement by praising her work and saying he respected her decision to prioritize her family.

He called her one of his “most trusted aides” and said she would continue working within his political orbit as an outside adviser.

Trump also said Leavitt had done a “phenomenal job” during her time in the administration. The White House said she would spend more time with her children while continuing to advise Trump and remain involved in Republican politics.

Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary and emerged as one of the administration’s most visible defenders.

Her responsibilities extended beyond press briefings, with sources describing her as having access to sensitive discussions and playing a role in political and communications strategy.

Her departure comes as the Trump administration approaches the November midterm elections and faces pressure over issues including fuel prices and the conflict in Iran.