Former White House press secretary Leavitt hired as Fox News contributor
Karoline Leavitt, who served as the youngest White House press secretary in history under President Donald Trump from January 2025 to August 2026, has joined Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor beginning November 1. The 29-year-old will provide commentary across the network's platforms, leveraging her experience on the presidential campaign trail and in the Trump administration. Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott stated that Leavitt's firsthand White House experience would offer viewers distinctive political insight.
Leavitt's departure from the White House press secretary position in August came after she determined that the role's demands conflicted with her responsibilities as a parent to two young children. Her career trajectory has moved steadily through Republican political circles, beginning with work in Trump's first administration before advancing to spokesperson roles and her ultimately historic appointment as the administration's chief spokesperson at age 29.
Her new position at Fox News represents a common career transition for former government communicators, building on professional relationships and media experience she gained during a 2016 internship at the network. Leavitt holds a 2019 degree in politics and communication and has resided in New Hampshire throughout her career in public service and political advocacy.
The hiring illustrates broader patterns of movement between government communications roles and cable news platforms, which can raise questions about media independence and the blending of political advocacy with news commentary. Viewers may perceive added value from firsthand government experience, while critics could view such transitions as potentially compromising editorial objectivity. The development reflects how prominent political figures leverage media platforms to maintain public visibility and influence after leaving government service.