Leavitt talks about what’s next for her on last day at White House

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there’s “definitely a list” of who could be her successor but that no decisions have been made yet as she takes on her last day in the role.

“As for who the president chooses next, it is a decision that is entirely up to him,” Leavitt said Thursday in an appearance on NewsNation , The Hill’s sister network.

“Obviously whoever takes this job, you spend a lot of time with the president, has to be someone he wholeheartedly trusts and believes in,” she added.

The outgoing press secretary explained that she’s offered up her “advice and counsel” on whom President Trump should pick next.

“It is a blessing, a privilege and honor to stand behind the White House podium,” she said. “So, whoever gets the job next is a very lucky person to work for this president at this moment in history, and I’ll be here to help every step of the way.”

Leavitt also noted she would still be working as an outside adviser. She confirmed last week that she is set to work at Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC . She didn’t share what her title would be.

When announcing her departure, Trump said Leavitt will be “an influential voice within the Republican Party” ahead of the midterms.

She told NewsNation that she has learned “so much” from Trump on how to handle the media.

“I mean, he was, of course, a businessman, built a business empire in New York City and was on the front pages of many tabloids and was spinning up the press before I was even alive,” Leavitt continued. “He’s a pro.”

She added that she is “grateful to the president for being so understanding of me and my family in this very difficult decision.”

Leavitt gave birth to her first child in July 2024 while serving on the president’s reelection campaign. She had to quickly return to her post after the attempted assassination on Trump’s life at a rally in Butler, Pa., just three days after she had her son.

She had her second child in May. She held her first briefing after maternity leave on July 16 and earlier this month announced she was leaving the position.

“Every day as a working mother is a challenge,” the departing press secretary said. “You have to make sacrifices. You have to prioritize your time, and you have to say no to a lot of opportunities that come your way because you want to be there for bedtime with your kids every night.”

“I think the birth of my daughter … really just showed me that, you know, two children at home who deserve and need their mother’s constant attention and presence,” she added.

Leavitt spent 20 months in the role, and her departure marks the end of the tenure of the youngest White House press secretary in history, as she took the role at 27 years old.

She called it “the honor and blessing of my life to serve as his spokesperson,” adding that Trump was the “best boss.”

“It has been the adventure of a lifetime,” Leavitt said.