Outgoing Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt marked her imminent White House departure with a custom briefing room lectern cake and “no more questions” cookies, courtesy of Katie Miller. The 28-year-old, who turns 29 on August 24, shared photos on her Instagram story Sunday showing off a cake replica of the White House lectern with a “Happy Birthday Karoline” banner. She also posted photos of custom cookies, one with “no more questions” written on it and another featuring an illustration of the lectern.
Miller is the wife of Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff and the architect behind the Trump administration’s anti-immigration push. He recently referred to Leavitt as “a close friend” as well as a colleague. The celebrations come amid speculation over who will replace the youngest-ever White House press secretary when she officially leaves at the end of the month.
Leavitt earlier announced she was stepping down to focus on her family, which reportedly came as a shock to President Donald Trump’s team. In May, she welcomed a second child with her husband. She told reporters she also plans to rejoin MAGA Inc., the super PAC affiliated Trump, ahead of the November midterms.
So far, the president has not named Leavitt’s successor, though several names have been floated as possibilities, including CNN commentator Scott Jennings, White House communications advisor Margo Martin and deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, among others. Jennings is rumored to be a favorite for the position, but when asked about it on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday morning, he declined to speculate. In recent weeks, several people close to the White House have announced they are leaving, including James Braid, the White House’s director of legislative affairs; Ed Martin, the Justice Department’s pardon attorney, and David Warrington, White House counsel.
It’s not unusual for staff to depart an administration around the midterms, though one former Trump administration official who served the president during his first term suggested to Politico that the departures were a sign of the upcoming challenges. The former official said staffers are likely considering what their next career move will be after Trump leaves the White House in 2029. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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