Karoline Leavitt Lands Fox News Role—Months After Leaving White House To Spend More Time at Home With Her Kids

Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping back into the political spotlight, months after leaving the Trump administration to focus on raising her two young children.

Leavitt is set to take on a new role as an on-air contributor for Fox News beginning Nov. 1.

The mother of two, who made history as the youngest White House press secretary, announced in August that she would be leaving her role in the administration.

President Donald Trump shared the news on Truth Social at the time, explaining that Leavitt, 29, wanted to spend more time with her family.

Leavitt, 29, shares two children with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 61: son Niko, 2, and daughter Viviana, who was born in May.

Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News Media, revealed Leavitt's appointment in a statement, "Karoline’s firsthand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of today’s political landscape. We look forward to her providing our audience with authentic and sharp insight across all Fox News Media platforms.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue appearing on Fox News Channel as an official member of the extraordinary team at Fox News Media,” Leavitt added in a statement.

“I look forward to bringing my unique perspective from my experience as White House Press Secretary, along with the same energy and candor that defined my tenure, to Fox’s millions of viewers across their many platforms.”

Leavitt, who wed her husband in January 2025, two days before Trump's inauguration, officially stepped down from her job on Aug. 28, telling "Fox & Friends" hosts Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade, and Lawrence Jones, that her children are at a "critical age" where they need to be able to spend more time with her at home.

Speaking to the Fox News program from outside of the White House, Leavitt took the chance to praise Trump for his unwavering support, describing him as a one-of-a-kind president whom she has been honored to serve.

"I'm feeling good [but] of course It's a little bit bittersweet," she said of her decision to leave her job. "It's bitter because I'm leaving a job that I love so very much, and it's been the honor and blessing of a lifetime to work for this president, President Trump. There will never be another like him.

"To serve as his spokesperson behind that podium, it has been the adventure of a lifetime and I am so grateful to him for believing in me and allowing me to serve in this role over the last 20 months. And now for being understanding as a boss and a friend."

When Trump announced Leavitt's impending departure, he made it clear that she would continue to play a key role in his work, writing: "Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections.

"Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!"

In a statement posted on her X account, Leavitt shared some insight into her decision, explaining that balancing her role as a mother with "one of the most demanding jobs in the world" has been both "rewarding" and "challenging."

She added that, since returning to the White House from maternity leave, she has realized that she cannot fully commit herself to being the mother that her children "deserve," while also giving the job her all.

"Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime," she began.

"I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for granting me so many extraordinary opportunities, such as working in the West Wing and spending countless hours in the Oval Office, flying around the world and meeting foreign leaders, and traveling across our beautiful country and meeting Americans from all walks of life."

Echoing Trump, she made clear her intention to continue working with him as an outside adviser, before offering thanks to the president, first lady Melania Trump, and chief of staff Susie Wiles, as well as the other members of the administration.

Finally, she paid tribute to her husband and her family for enabling her to do the job.

"Thank you most especially to my loving and supportive husband and family for the sacrifices they made for me to serve in this role," she said.

Leavitt has been in the job since Trump returned to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. following the 2024 election.

Previously, she served as the official spokesperson for his presidential campaign.

Leavitt and Riccio are both from New Hampshire—where he owns a successful real estate investment business—and were living there when they met. While they still own a property there, they also snapped up a DC residence so that Leavitt could be closer to the White House.

It is unclear whether Leavitt and Riccio will now move back to New Hampshire permanently, or if they will continue to maintain a residence in DC.

The press secretary has previously opened up about her struggle to maintain a balance between her home life and her professional obligations, admitting in a November 2025 interview with the Daily Mail that she had "PTSD about making plans" because she'd had to cancel so many date nights with her husband.