Leavitt to Depart Role as White House Press Secretary

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  August 13, 2026 at 09:49  |  1:25  |  Bloomberg Markets
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Stephanie Baker — Senior Writer

Summary

Bloomberg's Stephanie Baker reports that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will depart her role later this month and become a top outside adviser to President Trump. The departure comes less than three months before the November midterm elections, at a time when Trump's approval ratings are dropping. Baker describes Leavitt as a forceful and effective spokesperson and says replacing her will be difficult.

  • Karoline Leavitt is set to step aside as White House press secretary later this month.
  • President Trump announced on social media that Leavitt would become one of his top outside advisers.
  • The move comes roughly three months before the November midterm elections.
  • Trump's approval ratings are described as dropping at the time of the departure.
  • Leavitt is described as a forceful, effective spokesperson whose press conferences often went viral.
  • The report suggests Trump will have difficulty finding a similarly forceful replacement.
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