Here’s What You Need to Know About Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump’s New Press Secretary

Karoline Leavitt will be the new White House press secretary when Donald Trump takes office in January.

At 27, she’ll be the youngest person to serve in that role, but she’s familiar with the job, having worked as an assistant press secretary for Kayleigh McEnany during the president-elect’s first term. Leavitt was also part of Trump’s 2024 campaign, working as national press secretary. She’s currently serving as the transition team’s spokesperson.

“Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the national press secretary on my historic campaign,” Trump said in a statement. “I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary.”

Leavitt replied to the president-elect in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored.”

Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored.

Let’s MAGA!🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UF1ljE1r9R

— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) November 16, 2024

Leavitt appeared on Sean Hannity‘s show on Tuesday night for her first interview in her new role. “I’m incredibly honored that President Trump has instilled confidence in me to speak on his behalf behind the White House podium,” she said.

Prior to re-joining the Trump team, Leavitt was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc, a conservative super PAC. She’s also worked as the communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, who Trump recently nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, campaigning on a platform emphasizing conservative values, lower taxes, and vigorous law enforcement. While she finished first in the 10-candidate GOP primary, she lost the general election to the incumbent Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas, who won a fourth term in this year’s cycle.

Journalists will be closely watching whether Leavitt holds daily press briefings when the Trump administration begins in January. During his first term, the president-elect disrupted that long-held tradition in favor of social media posts and media appearances. It was only towards the end of his first term that press briefings once again became a daily occurrence.

In her Hannity interview, Leavitt indicated that she’d defer to Trump on whether daily briefings will continue. “Ultimately, he is the decision maker,” she said.

Last night on Hannity, incoming White House Press Secretary @KarolineLeavitt gave her first interview since President-elect Trump announced his intention to appoint her. pic.twitter.com/PqTQvnpuXt

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) November 20, 2024

As many journalists no doubt recall, those briefings also proved somewhat contentious during Trump’s first term. CNN reporter Jim Acosta had his press pass revoked in 2018 after sparring with Trump over his immigration policy. Acosta only regained his access after CNN went to court.

Under those circumstances, Leavitt looks to be battle-ready when she starts her new assignment. In June, her interview with CNN This Morning anchor Kasie Hunt was cut short after she harshly criticized Jake Tapper and Dana Bash—the moderators of the network’s presidential debate.

Speaking with Hannity on Tuesday, Leavitt said that she was prepared to deal with the “hostile media,” who she accused of pushing “lies and hoaxes” about Trump for the past eight years. She also suggested that legacy media outlets might be joined in the press room by “different voices,” a reference to the podcasters and social media influencers that the campaign sought out during the campaign.

“We will certainly look at options on how to respect the tradition of the White House while also ensuring that the press briefing room reflects the media habits of the American people today,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt will be the first press secretary of Trump’s second term but the fifth overall. Here’s a quick recap of the officials who held that position during his first term and whether they held daily press briefings.

Sean Spicer (January—July 2017): One of the most memorable moments during Spicer’s short tenure came on his first day when he repeated the false claim that Trump’s inauguration ceremony saw the largest crowd ever. After leaving the White House, he appeared on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars in 2019 and hosted a Newsmax show from 2020 to 2023.
Daily Press Briefings: Yes

Sarah Huckabee Sanders (July 2017—July 2019): The third woman to be named press secretary, Sanders served nearly two years but held fewer press conferences than her predecessors. She is currently the Governor of Arkansas.
Daily Press Briefings: Yes

Stephanie Grisham (July 2019—April 2020): Grisham was the first press secretary to not hold any press conferences during her tenure. She has been a vocal critic of the president-elect since her White House tenure.
Daily Press Briefings: No

Kayleigh McEnany (April 2020—January 2021): McEnany took over as press secretary during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and vigorously defended Trump’s response to the crisis. She is currently a co-host of Fox News’ Outnumbered.
Daily Press Briefings: Yes