Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has explained why she left Donald Trump's administration, revealing that she was working more than 60 hours a week while serving the president. Leavitt, 29, made the revelation during an Instagram question-and-answer session on Wednesday after a follower questioned her decision to leave the White House while continuing to make television appearances.
"As press secretary, I was working in the office 60+ hours a week, traveling the world, and always on call, 24/7," she wrote. "Now I am home with my kids every day and doing some TV hits.
These things are not the same, ma'am," she added. Leavitt resigned in August, months after welcoming her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May.
She had taken nearly three months of maternity leave before returning to the White House in July. According to The Daily Beast, Trump repeatedly contacted Leavitt during her maternity leave, asking when she would return to work.
Despite leaving the administration, Leavitt has continued defending the president and remains involved in Republican politics. During the same Instagram session, she described Trump as the best boss she had worked for, saying he remained supportive even after her departure.
Leavitt is now preparing to join Fox News as a political contributor on November 1, a move announced by the network earlier this month. Her new role will allow her to provide political commentary without the daily responsibilities of representing the White House.
Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in US history when Trump returned to office in January 2025. She was succeeded by conservative commentator Katie Zacharia, whose appointment has since faced scrutiny over her legal credentials.
The transition marks a significant shift for the former spokesperson, who gained national prominence during the 2024 campaign cycle. Her departure was viewed by political analysts as a reflection of the intense demands placed on senior staff within the Trump administration.
Supporters of Leavitt have praised her transparency regarding the work-life balance challenges faced by high-ranking officials. Meanwhile, the network's decision to hire her is seen as a strategic move to bolster their political analysis team with a fresh voice from the inner circle of the previous administration.
As she transitions into her media career, Leavitt continues to maintain a strong social media presence, often engaging directly with her followers on policy matters and personal updates. Her upcoming debut on Fox News is highly anticipated by political observers.
The broader implications of her departure continue to be discussed in Washington, as the administration navigates the changes in its communications department. Leavitt remains a key figure in the ongoing discourse surrounding the Republican party's future.