WASHINGTON D.C August 17, 2026 — President Donald Trump offered a lighthearted jab at White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a video clip circulating Monday, joking that while she is irreplaceable, he is “very concerned” she likes her children more than she likes him.
The roughly 36-second clip, posted by the official Trump War Room account with laughing emojis, shows Trump and Leavitt standing side by side in front of American flags during what appears to be a recent joint appearance. In the exchange, a questioner asks whether Leavitt is replaceable. Trump replies that she is not, praises her performance, then delivers the punchline about her priorities as a mother.
The post quickly gained traction, drawing thousands of likes within hours of being shared.
The timing is notable. Just five days earlier, on August 12, Trump announced that Leavitt, 28, will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of August. He said she is stepping down to spend more time with her young children and will continue serving as one of his top outside advisers and an influential voice in Republican politics heading into the midterms.
Leavitt, the youngest person ever to hold the press secretary position, gave birth to her second child in May and only recently returned from maternity leave. In her own statement, she described the decision as “bittersweet,” saying she could not be the best mother to her two children while meeting the intense demands of the job.
Trump has repeatedly called Leavitt one of his most trusted aides, crediting her work dating back to 2018 and her role in the 2024 campaign. The humorous clip appears to underscore both his appreciation for her service and his acceptance of her choice to prioritize family.
No successor has been named. Leavitt is expected to remain involved in communications and party efforts from outside the White House.
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