Washington, Nov 15 (EFE).- US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, making her the youngest person to hold the position at just 27.
Leavitt, a prominent figure in Trump’s campaign and a former member of his administration’s communications team, brings experience and a reputation for staunchly defending Trump’s policies.
“Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my historic campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary,” Trump said in a statement.
Trump described Leavitt as «smart» and «tough,» praising her as “a highly effective communicator.»
“I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American people as we make America great again.”
When Trump assumes office on Jan. 20, 2025, Leavitt will become the youngest White House press secretary in US history. Previously, Ron Ziegler held the title, having served in the role at age 29 during Richard Nixon’s presidency (1969–1974).
Leavitt’s career in politics began during Trump’s first administration, where she worked as a press assistant.
In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire’s first district, winning the Republican primary but losing the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas.
She also served as spokesperson for Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York, a Trump ally who was recently named US Ambassador to the United Nations by the president-elect.
Throughout Trump’s campaign, Leavitt became a frequent presence on conservative media outlets, defending Trump’s policies and statements and taking on critical networks like CNN. This year, she also welcomed her first child and is known for her strong Catholic faith.
The role of White House press secretary is one of the most visible and significant in any administration, as the press secretary communicates the president’s policies and answers questions during press briefings that can often be contentious.
Under President Joe Biden, press briefings have been held almost daily, continuing a tradition maintained during the presidencies of Barack Obama (2009–2017) and George W. Bush (2001–2009).
In contrast, during Trump’s first term, his administration drastically reduced the frequency of press briefings, with a record-breaking gap of over 300 days without a spokesperson holding a press conference from March 2019 to January 2020.
Trump often criticized the media, calling them «enemies of the people» and «fake news,» leading to a more strained relationship with the press during his tenure.
Leavitt will face the challenge of balancing her role as the face of the Trump administration with navigating the contentious dynamics between the White House and the media. EFE
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