President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has appointed Karoline Leavitt, his campaign spokesperson, as the White House press secretary.
Trump praised Leavitt’s skills, calling her “smart, tough, and a highly effective communicator.” He expressed confidence in her ability to excel in the role, stating, “I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again.”
At 27 years old, Leavitt becomes the youngest person ever to hold the position of White House press secretary, surpassing the previous record held by Ron Ziegler, who was 29 when President Nixon appointed him in 1969. Her appointment marks a full circle, as she served as an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term and now returns in a more prominent role for his second term.
Leavitt hails from New Hampshire and has an extensive background in communications. She worked as an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021. After Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, Leavitt became the communications director for Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, a key Trump ally who was also a candidate for UN ambassador.
In 2022, Leavitt ran for a seat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. She won the Republican primary but ultimately lost in the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas. Despite the loss, Leavitt’s campaign experience helped improve her public speaking skills.
Leavitt rejoined Trump’s team ahead of the 2024 election, leading communications for his campaign and transition efforts. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has seen two press secretaries, Jen Psaki and Karine Jean-Pierre, during its time in office.
