Former Trump White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt joins Fox News
The network has announced the MAGA personality will work as a commentator on several of the conservative channel’s shows
The White House press secretary is one of the most exposed jobs in the world, but with a $195,200 salary it is not among the highest paid. In Washington it is assumed to be a thankless task that often, like many roles that require rolling up your sleeves in the administration, serves as a prelude to more lucrative work: million-dollar book deals, senior private-sector posts, or a jump to the media. This Monday Karoline Leavitt, who resigned her post last August, chose the latter option: she will join Fox News, the conservative network confirmed.
The network announced the move in a gesture that in a way closes a circle. Trump drew heavily from the Fox News roster when staffing his government. Two examples suffice: Pete Hegseth was a host of one of its shows before becoming secretary of defense, as was Jeanine Pirro, who served as attorney general of the District of Columbia and became a MAGA standard-bearer in the U.S. capital. Now the flow runs the other way: the administration has become a talent pool for television.
This is a common movement in Washington. Joe Biden’s first White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, went to the left-leaning MSNBC (now MS NOW) after she stopped speaking for the president (her successor, Karine Jean-Pierre, took a different editorial path). And Kayleigh McEnany needed only three months at the podium during the final stretch of Trump’s first presidency to become a regular face on Fox News.
Leavitt, 29, made history as the youngest White House press secretary when she was hired. While in the job she stood out for her relentless style and for how effectively she promoted the Trump line. She also defended the president unconditionally.
She left in August by her own choice, to “focus on her family,” Trump said. And the White House, in an almost unprecedented move, has not yet found a replacement. It does not seem an easy task. Leavitt was one of the president’s most trusted aides, and Trump referred to her by the nickname “machine-gun lips” to praise her tireless ability to defend the boss (by attacking others).
No replacement
In the meantime, various cabinet members have acted as spokespeople, with varying degrees of success. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J. D. Vance, and Attorney General Todd Blanche have all stood in at the lectern.
Fox News has announced that Leavitt — known for mercilessly attacking journalists from outlets Trump considers his enemies and for lavishing attention on those who embody MAGA ideals — will join the network starting November 1. She will not be assigned to a specific show, but will instead contribute commentary to various segments on the network owned by Rupert Murdoch, which Trump has been attacking in recent days on his social media platform, Truth. He is annoyed by the mild criticism directed at him — given his historically low approval ratings — and by the fact that viewpoints aligned with the Democrats are being given a platform.
“Karoline’s firsthand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of today’s political landscape,” said Suzanne Scott, chief executive of Fox News Media, in the statement announcing the hire.
During that campaign, which returned Trump to power, Leavitt made a name for herself by appearing on hostile outlets to vigorously defend the Republican candidate. A heated live confrontation with CNN presenter Kasie Hunt thrust her into the media orbit when a clip of Hunt cutting her off for repeatedly lying went viral.
After leaving her White House post, Leavitt — who became a mother for the second time in May — left the capital to move back to her home state, New Hampshire, where she ran in 2022 for a seat in Congress. She lost decisively to her Democratic opponent.
“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 said Monday in a statement.
The announcement is also another sign of the strength of the revolving-door dynamics in Washington. It is one of the few aspects of the city’s political life that crosses partisan lines.
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