Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed her next career move after stepping down from Donald Trump's administration earlier this year.
The 29-year-old left her high-profile position at the end of August 2026, just weeks after returning from maternity leave following the birth of her second child.
Her departure surprised some political observers, particularly given her prominent role as the public face of the Trump administration.
At the time, Leavitt explained that she wanted to spend more time with her young family while remaining involved in American politics.
Although she had already indicated that she would continue supporting Trump and the Republican Party, the details of her next professional role had remained uncertain.
Now, a major announcement has confirmed where she will be working next, when she will begin and what her responsibilities will involve.
What is Karoline Leavitt's new job?
Karoline Leavitt is joining Fox News as an on-air contributor, with her new role officially beginning on November 1, 2026.
Fox News Media announced the appointment on October 5, confirming that the former White House press secretary will provide political commentary and analysis across the network's programmes.
Her appearances are expected to span both news and opinion programming, allowing her to discuss developments in American politics and government.
Rather than returning to a traditional government communications position, Leavitt will now be working in television media.
Her experience inside the White House and on Trump's presidential campaign is expected to feature prominently in her contributions.
The appointment was confirmed in an official announcement by Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott.
What has Fox News said about hiring Karoline Leavitt?
Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott welcomed Leavitt to the network, highlighting her experience in national politics.
Scott said Leavitt's previous responsibilities gave her an understanding of the political environment that would be valuable to viewers.
She also expressed enthusiasm about the perspective the former press secretary would bring to the network's programming.
Leavitt's appointment follows a longstanding pattern of former White House communications officials moving into television commentary after leaving government.
Her new role will place her alongside other political analysts, former administration officials and media personalities.
What did Karoline Leavitt say about her new career?
Leavitt also released a statement following the announcement.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to become an official contributor and said she was looking forward to discussing political issues with Fox News viewers.
She explained that she hoped to draw upon her experiences as White House press secretary while maintaining the direct communication style that had characterised her time in government.
Her comments suggested that she sees the move as a continuation of her public-facing political career rather than a complete departure from national politics.
When will Karoline Leavitt start at Fox News?
Leavitt is scheduled to begin her new role on November 1, 2026.
The timing means she will join the network just two days before the US midterm elections on November 3.
Those elections will determine control of the House of Representatives and Senate, making the period particularly significant for American political coverage.
Fox News has confirmed that Leavitt will provide commentary across its programming, although the network has not announced that she will host a dedicated television show.
Her appointment as a contributor means she can appear on different programmes rather than necessarily presenting a regular series of her own.
Why did Karoline Leavitt leave the White House?
Leavitt stepped down as White House press secretary at the end of August after serving in the role since January 2025.
She explained that the demands of the position had become difficult to balance with raising her two young children.
Leavitt had returned from maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, Viviana, earlier in 2026.
However, she subsequently decided that she wanted to prioritise spending more time with her family.
In a public statement announcing her departure, she described the decision as bittersweet and reflected positively on her time in the administration.
The White House press secretary is responsible for communicating the administration's positions, responding to journalists and regularly briefing the media.
The role can involve demanding schedules, extensive travel and responding to major developments at short notice.
Leavitt said those responsibilities had influenced her decision to pursue a different professional arrangement.
What did Donald Trump say about her departure?
Trump publicly supported Leavitt's decision to leave his administration.
In a statement on Truth Social, the president explained that she wanted to spend more time with her children and family.
He indicated that he understood and respected her decision.
Leavitt had been one of the administration's most prominent public representatives, regularly defending Trump's policies and responding to questions from journalists.
Although she left her official White House position, she indicated that she intended to remain politically active.
Will Karoline Leavitt still work with Donald Trump?
Leavitt has suggested that her departure from the White House does not mean she is ending her involvement with Trump or the Republican movement.
In statements surrounding her resignation, she said she intended to continue supporting the president from outside the administration.
She also discussed plans to return to MAGA Inc., a political action committee associated with Trump's political operation.
Her new Fox News position represents a separate media role.
It is not an official White House appointment, and she will no longer be speaking on behalf of the administration in the capacity of press secretary.
Instead, she will provide commentary as a television contributor.
Who is Karoline Leavitt?
Karoline Leavitt is an American political communications professional who became the youngest White House press secretary in US history.
She was 27 when she took office at the beginning of Trump's second presidential administration in January 2025.
Born in New Hampshire, Leavitt graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2019 with a degree in politics and communication.
She previously worked in Trump's first administration as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary.
She later served as communications director for Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District but lost the general election.
She subsequently became national press secretary for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.
Following his election victory, she was appointed White House press secretary.
Who is Karoline Leavitt's husband?
Leavitt is married to real estate developer Nicholas Riccio.
The couple have two children, a son named Niko and a daughter named Viviana.
Her family circumstances became a central part of her explanation for leaving the White House.
Leavitt has spoken about the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with raising her children.
She has also maintained that her departure does not represent an end to her ambitions in politics and communications.
Have other White House press secretaries joined Fox News?
Leavitt is not the first former White House press secretary to move into television news.
Kayleigh McEnany, who served as press secretary during Trump's first administration, subsequently joined Fox News.
McEnany became a co-host of the network's daytime programme Outnumbered and has taken on other presenting responsibilities.
Dana Perino, who served as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush, also became a prominent Fox News presenter and commentator.
Former Biden administration press secretary Jen Psaki similarly moved into television after leaving the White House, joining the network now known as MS NOW.
Such transitions allow former government communications officials to draw on their political experience while working in the media industry.
Will Karoline Leavitt have her own Fox News show?
Fox News has not announced a dedicated programme hosted by Leavitt.
The network has confirmed that she will serve as an on-air contributor, providing analysis and commentary across its existing platforms.
That arrangement differs from being appointed the permanent host of a specific television show.
However, contributors can appear regularly on different programmes and may eventually take on additional responsibilities.
For now, the confirmed appointment is her contributor role beginning November 1.
What happens next for Karoline Leavitt?
Leavitt is preparing to begin her new career at Fox News after more than a year and a half serving as Trump's White House press secretary.
The move will allow her to remain involved in national political discussions while working outside government.
It also comes at a significant moment in American politics, with the midterm elections approaching and both major parties competing for control of Congress.
Although Leavitt has expressed an intention to remain supportive of Trump, her new position will be with a television network rather than the White House.
Her first day as an official Fox News contributor is scheduled for November 1, 2026.
For viewers who became familiar with her through White House press briefings, the appointment marks the beginning of a different chapter in her public career.
Sources: The Independent, October 5, 2026; Fox News Media official announcement, October 5, 2026; Associated Press, October 5, 2026; CBS News, October 5, 2026.
