Karoline Leavitt has defended her decision to leave her position as White House press secretary ahead of the midterm elections, while rejecting online speculation about the real reason for her departure.
The 29-year-old addressed the issue on Instagram, using her personable influencer style as she invited questions from her 3.1 million followers.
One of the first questions focused on her future career after she officially stepped down in August as President Donald Trump’s spokesperson.
Leavitt said she would be joining Fox News as a television contributor, adding that she planned to continue appearing across the network’s various programs.
She also revealed that she has several other projects underway, but said her main priority is spending time at home. The mother-of-two made the comment alongside a photo of herself cuddling her five-month-old daughter, Viviana.
One follower questioned that explanation, asking why she had left the press secretary role if she still intended to work.
Leavitt responded by contrasting the demands of her former job with her new routine. She said the White House position required more than 60 hours in the office each week, frequent international travel and round-the-clock availability.
“Now I am home with my kids every day and am doing some TV hits,” she wrote. “These things are not the same, ma’am.” Leavitt is also mother to two-year-old Niko, whom she shares with her 61-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio.
Karoline Leavitt has explained why she left her position as White House press secretary ahead of the midterm elections
The 29-year-old responded to followers’ questions on Instagram, where she has 3.1 million followers
Another follower asked about a social media claim that Trump had failed to warn Leavitt about a supposed threat to Air Force One while she was aboard the presidential aircraft—and whether the alleged incident prompted her resignation.
Leavitt urged people not to accept every claim circulating online, telling them to consult credible news reports instead.
She firmly denied being on the aircraft or even taking part in the trip, saying she had been at home with her children.
Leavitt added that, even if she had been on board, the incident would not have led her to leave the job.
She pointed out that anyone who travels on Air Force One understands the risks associated with accompanying the President.
Leavitt said she had previously traveled with Trump to the Middle East and had addressed wartime issues from the White House briefing room—responsibilities that also carry significant security risks. “Threats come with the job,” she said.
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Calling the claim an unfounded online rumor, she insisted there was “zero truth” to the story.
Leavitt denied claims that an alleged threat to Air Force One was connected to her decision to leave the White House press secretary role
Leavitt said anyone traveling on Air Force One understands the risks involved in accompanying the President
Leavitt’s departure from the White House briefing podium came before the November midterm elections.
Last week, a fresh Daily Mail/YouGov poll revealed that nearly half of likely voters believe Trump is dragging down his own party.
Forty-nine percent said Trump is hurting Republican candidates, more than double the 20 percent who think he is helping.
The warning is starkest among independents, with 54 percent saying the president is damaging GOP chances.
This was compounded by price hikes across the US economy worsening in September, deepening the threat to Trump and the Congressional Republicans.
It comes as Leavitt’s replacement Katie Zacharia, 41, gave a lackluster performance during her first on-camera press briefing on Tuesday.
Zacharia stumbled over her prepared remarks and stuttered through her own sentences during the address.
It comes as Leavitt’s replacement Katie Zacharia, 41, gave a lackluster performance during her first on-camera press briefing on Tuesday
At one point she called the president her husband and also blindsided the room by telling the Daily Mail that Trump had asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as ambassador to Greece.
The opening segment of the press briefing is typically followed by a long question-and-answer session, often extending for nearly an hour.
However, Zacharia took just three questions before walking out after 14 minutes.
The new appointee, who is married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, infamously lasted just six weeks as a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman earlier this year before abruptly walking out of the job in March.
The mom-of-four has since been working as a communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social.