Karoline Leavitt resigns after Trump kept calling her on maternity leave, sources say
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quit citing inability to balance motherhood and the job, after Trump repeatedly called her during leave.
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What to know
- Leavitt returned from maternity leave after just nine weeks, well short of the 12 weeks federal employees are entitled to, with Trump repeatedly calling her during her time away.
- She cited inability to balance her role as press secretary with mothering her two young children as the reason for her resignation at month's end.
- Multiple sources told media that her decision had been months in the making and that she experienced severe burnout from the job.
How it unfolded
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CNN White House correspondent Alayna Treene reported that Trump had repeatedly called Leavitt during her maternity leave, apparently desperate to know when she would return to her role.
“The president was apparently desperate to know when she would leave her children and return to her podium”
Alayna Treene, CNN White House correspondent · Newswires ↗ -
Leavitt confirmed she would leave the White House at the end of the month, stating she cannot be the best mother her children deserve while serving as press secretary.
“I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary”
Karoline Leavitt · Newswires ↗ -
Trump announced Leavitt's departure, saying she was leaving to spend more time with her family and that he 'totally understand and respect' the decision.
“spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!”
Donald Trump · Newswires ↗ -
Multiple sources told Daily Mail that Leavitt's decision had been months in the making, with one noting she was 'just trying to figure out how to politely step down with [Trump's] blessing' and another saying 'First week back she realized she wasn't feeling it anymore.'
- 6 weeks quiet
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The press secretary returned to her position just nine weeks after giving birth, well short of the 12 weeks of paid parental leave federal employees are typically entitled to.
- 9 weeks quiet
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She delivered her daughter on May 1, while on maternity leave.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt left for maternity leave three days later than initially planned.
What people are saying verbatim
“The president was apparently desperate to know when she would leave her children and return to her podium”
Alayna Treene, CNN White House Correspondent · New Republic ↗
“I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary”
Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary · X (posted Wednesday) ↗
“She was just trying to figure out how to politely step down with [Trump's] blessing”
Source close to Leavitt, Anonymous source · Daily Mail ↗
“First week back she realized she wasn't feeling it anymore”
Source close to Leavitt, Anonymous source · Daily Mail ↗
“It was a very stressful job to do with her children. She never got any sleep, and she didn't want her performance to slip either, so she decided to stay as long as she could and do the job well”
Source close to Leavitt, Anonymous source · Daily Mail ↗
“spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!”
Donald Trump, U.S. President · New Republic ↗
The conversation unedited, verbatim
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Where people stand verbatim
The limited comments focus on Leavitt's financial credibility and criticism of the political environment. One commenter raises concerns about her unpaid campaign debts, while another engages in personal attacks related to her proximity to Trump.
Leavitt lacks credibility due to unpaid campaign debts.
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“She has enough money but like her orange daddy-god, she's not fond of paying her bills. "According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, Karoline Leavitt's 2022 congressional campaign committee, Karoline for Congress, owes…”
Freeze_Her · reddit ↗
- Today
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There is not a single source in this article for the claim made in the headline. It says that “reports suggest” this was the reason for her departure and nothing more. Dogshit article
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And regardless of what method you used for birthing, you have a wound that's been stitched up and needs to heal before doing anything extraneous.
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I never bought the plane story. She wanted something and didn't get it, not some "enlightened" moment. This sounds more believable. She wanted time off and didn't really get it. She probably wanted other perks but didn't get them either. Most of these Trump officials who turn on him usually do because they didn't get something they wanted. For…
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I would’ve thought that Bullshit Barbie would jump at the chance to blow up in the sky for dear leader. 🤷🏼♂️
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Nothing could make her seem sympathetic. She loved spreading hate and lies every day. She's a deeply evil person who deserves no peace
- Yesterday
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It would be great if she is constantly around people who know recognize her and uses their freedumb of speech to remind her how disgusting she truly is. It may be extremely taxing on her mental health.
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She was on the plane when trump switched and she found out that her life was nothing from trump. She signed off right away. House of cards folding
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She has enough money but like her orange daddy-god, she’s not fond of paying her bills. “According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, Karoline Leavitt's 2022 congressional campaign committee, Karoline for Congress, owes $326,370.50.”
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Donald Trump reportedly would not stop calling Leavitt while she was on maternity leave.
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I went to private schools. Thats exactly what I am saying, but it won't be the bubble you seem to think it is. "Your mom helps kids get rapped" is gonna be pretty bad on that kid yea.