Karoline Leavitt Joins Fox News After Exit as Trump's Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt has her next act lined up. The former White House press secretary is joining Fox News as an on-air contributor, just weeks after leaving the Trump administration.
Fox News announced on Monday, October 5, that Leavitt, 29, will begin her new role on November 1. She will provide political commentary across the network's lineup of shows.
What Leavitt and Fox Are Saying
"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue appearing on Fox News Channel as an official member of the extraordinary team," she said in a statement, according to Fox News.
Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott praised her experience. "Karoline's firsthand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of today's political landscape," Scott said.
The hire comes during a period of change at the network. Last month, Maria Bartiromo exited Fox News, effective immediately, after years as one of its best-known business and political anchors.
Why She Left the White House
Leavitt served as President Trump's press secretary from January 2025 until the end of August 2026. When she took the podium at age 27, she became the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history.
In August, Trump announced that Leavitt was stepping down to spend more time with her family while staying on as an outside adviser. Leavitt called it a "bittersweet decision," saying she could not balance the demands of the job with raising two young children.
She made history in the role as the first White House press secretary to be pregnant while serving. She welcomed her daughter, Viviana, in May. Leavitt lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Nick, and their two children.
The White House has not yet named a permanent replacement.
A Familiar Path to Fox
Leavitt is following a well-worn path from the White House briefing room to the Fox News studio.
Dana Perino, who served as press secretary to President George W. Bush, joined Fox News in 2009 and now co-anchors "America's Newsroom" and co-hosts "The Five." Kayleigh McEnany, Trump's final press secretary during his first term, joined the network in 2021 and co-hosts "Outnumbered," according to TheWrap.
Leavitt is no stranger to the network either. She interned at Fox News during the 2016 presidential election. Contributors typically appear as guests across a network's daytime and prime-time programs rather than hosting a show of their own, and Fox has not said which programs she will appear on most often.
Her tenure at the podium was marked by frequent clashes with reporters as the administration battled with the press, including high-profile confrontations like Trump's attacks on CNN's Kaitlan Collins.
Who Is Karoline Leavitt?
Born in August 1997, Leavitt is a New Hampshire native. She graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2019 with a degree in politics and communication.
She worked in Trump's first administration as a presidential writer and later as an assistant press secretary. She then served as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and ran for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District in 2022. She won a crowded Republican primary that year before losing the general election to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who held on to the seat.
Leavitt later served as national press secretary for Trump's 2024 campaign. Before landing at Fox, she had indicated that she would return to MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC where she worked before the campaign.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.