Trump’s former press secretary Karoline Leavitt lands her next job

Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has joined Fox News as an on-air contributor, beginning November 1, according to the network. The announcement was made on Monday, US time, and marks the latest step in Leavitt’s career following her departure from the Trump administration earlier this month. Leavitt, 29, was the youngest person to hold the role of press secretary in the history of the White House. She left her position at the end of August, citing a desire to spend more time with her two children. Her second child, Viviana, was born in May, and she already has a two-year-old son. During her tenure, President Donald Trump praised her as one of his “most trusted aides.” In 2025, he famously likened her handling of the press to a machine gun, describing her as having “that face. That brain. Those lips, the way they move. They move like she’s a machine gun.” This is not the first time a Trump press secretary has joined Fox News. Kayleigh McEnany, who served as press secretary from April 2020 until the end of Trump’s first term, remains with the network. Dana Perino, former press secretary for President George W. Bush, is also a political commentator at Fox. Trump himself has recruited several Fox News personalities into key roles within his administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who previously hosted “Fox & Friends Weekend.” Fox News is owned by the Murdoch family. Trump has been increasingly critical of the network, expressing frustration over its coverage of his rallies. On Sunday, he posted on his Truth Social platform lamenting what he described as insufficient coverage of recent events, including rallies in Ohio, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. He warned that Fox could suffer the same fate as before, an almost collapse ahead of an election, and criticized the recent firing of longtime Fox financial journalist Maria Bartiromo. These remarks come amid a broader conflict between Trump and major news outlets. He has sought to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House grounds and has attempted to exclude CNN from broadcast pool assignments. A judge has issued a temporary restraining order against these measures, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday as the affected outlets seek legal relief. The White House has not yet announced a replacement for Leavitt, and the position remains vacant. White House communications director Steven Cheung stated that Leavitt is “one of the best and most effective communicators around” and that everyone at the White House is “thrilled” she has the opportunity to speak to the Fox News audience about the administration’s achievements. Before becoming White House press secretary, Leavitt served as press secretary for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. She was known for her frequent appearances on Fox News during her time in the administration, leveraging her access to provide commentary on current events and policy developments. Her transition to a full-time contributor role at Fox aligns with her previous public engagement with the network. Leavitt’s move underscores the ongoing connection between Trump’s administration and Fox News, despite tensions over coverage and editorial direction. As she begins her new role, she will bring her extensive experience in government communication to the network’s platforms, offering insights shaped by her time in the White House.