President-elect Donald Trump has officially announced Karoline Leavitt, his 27-year-old campaign spokesperson, as the next White House press secretary. The appointment, revealed Friday evening, marks a historic milestone as Leavitt becomes the youngest person ever to hold the position, breaking the record previously held by Ron Ziegler, who served in the Nixon administration at age 29.
“Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary,” Trump said in a statement.
“Karoline is smart, 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 as we Make America Great Again.”
Who Is Karoline Leavitt?
Leavitt’s rise in the political world has been swift and impressive. During the campaign, she served as Trump’s national press secretary, acting as both a vocal advocate for the former president and a fierce defender against attacks from political opponents, including Democrats and the Harris campaign.
Reflecting on her work, Leavitt recently stated on Fox & Friends, “They forced him to take a mug shot. They tried to remove his name off of the ballot. They forced him to sit in a dirty courthouse for six weeks. Two people tried to kill him, for goodness’ sake. And the American people see, in Donald Trump, a leader who even in the darkest of times is going to lift his fist in the air and say, ‘fight, fight, fight’ for this country.”
A Champion for Democracy
Leavitt emphasized Trump’s connection with voters and the faith they have placed in his leadership.
“Democracy appeared to be the number one issue for voters. It’s clear that the American people believe President Trump is the best candidate to preserve our democracy. And it shows the Democrats’ message in these final weeks of the campaign that he’s this alleged threat to democracy just didn’t work in the eyes of the American people,” she added.
From Assistant Press Secretary to White House Leadership
Leavitt’s familiarity with the White House press office is no coincidence. She previously served as assistant press secretary during Trump’s first administration, working under then-Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany. Her experience in the role, coupled with her poise under pressure, made her a frontrunner for this pivotal position.
In 2022, the New Hampshire native demonstrated her political aspirations by launching a congressional campaign for the state’s 1st District. Though she won the Republican primary, she fell short in the general election. This setback did little to deter her momentum, as she quickly rejoined Trump’s team and became an integral part of his re-election bid.
Speculation and Trump’s Rapid Transition
Leavitt’s appointment comes amidst speculation about who would fill key roles in Trump’s second administration. Other potential candidates for the press secretary role included Alina Habba, Trump’s legal spokeswoman; Scott Jennings, a former aide to President George W. Bush; Jason Miller, a longtime Trump adviser; and Steven Cheung, who was instead named communications director earlier the same day.
The pace of Trump’s transition into his second term has been notably quicker than in 2016. In just over a week since Election Day, he has announced more than 20 high-profile appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
Leavitt addressed Trump’s expedited selection process in an interview with Fox News Digital, saying:
“The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail — and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again.”
Leavitt joins a legacy of press secretaries who have shaped public messaging during pivotal moments in U.S. history. Trump’s first term saw a lineup of high-profile individuals in the role, including Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders (now Governor of Arkansas), Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany. Leavitt’s appointment signals a continuation of Trump’s preference for outspoken and resilient communicators.
