Former Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Lands Fox News Role Weeks After White House Exit

The New York Times reported on October 5, 2026, that former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has signed on as an on-air contributor for Fox News, with her contract scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026.

Leavitt, 29, stepped down from her White House post on August 27, 2026, to focus on her young family following the birth of her second child. When Donald Trump appointed her in January 2025, she became the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history and the 36th official in that role. Descriptions of the timing around her exit have varied across outlets, with reports placing her departure between a month and a little over two months prior to the network hire.

Network Precedents and Background

Leavitt is the second former Trump White House press secretary to join Fox News, following Kayleigh McEnany. The move follows a transition path seen with other former Republican press secretaries, including Dana Perino.

Before taking over the briefing room, Leavitt worked as an assistant press secretary in Trump's first administration, communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik, and national press secretary for Trump's 2024 campaign. She also won the 2022 Republican primary for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district before losing the general election to Democratic Representative Chris Pappas.

Campaign Work and Recent White House Visit

Trump frequently highlighted Leavitt's delivery during briefings and rallies, remarking in a 2025 interview, "She's become a star. It's that face. It's that brain. It's those lips, the way they move. They move like she's a machine gun."

After leaving the White House, Leavitt reportedly returned to work with the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. while remaining an outside adviser to Trump. On September 29, 2026, she visited the White House to consult with Trump prior to appearing on Fox News, where she said he planned to be on the road "almost every single day in the month of October, campaigning for Republicans up and down the ballot."

Reports of Leavitt's hire emerged less than 24 hours after Trump publicly criticized Fox News on social media. Fox News did not immediately respond to comment requests or publish a formal press release regarding the contract. As of October 5, 2026, the White House press secretary position remained officially vacant.