By Abiola Olawale
United States President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt as the White House press secretary.
Trump made this announcement as part of his cabinet formation after winning the 2024 US election.
“Leavitt is smart and tough and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American People,” Trump said in a statement announcing her appointment.
Here are 10 things to know about Karoline Leavitt;
1). She rapidly rose to prominence after starting as a student assistant for Fox News during the 2016 campaign.
2). She was an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first presidency and is returning as the youngest ever in the top press role.
3). Leavitt, who hails from New Hampshire, has been a regular presence at Trump’s side in 2024.
4) She has been serving as Trump’s campaign spokeswoman at his rallies, as well as his multiple court appearances.
5). She is a fervent believer in Trump’s “America First” anti-immigrant agenda and shares his disdain for traditional media companies.
6). Leavitt began her rise through the Republican party ranks after Trump and other contenders for the 2016 presidential nomination visited her university campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, for a primary debate that was broadcast by Fox News.
7). She went on to pen a column for the student newspaper at Saint Anselm College entitled “Why Donald Trump just keeps on winning, and the media doesn’t get it,” where she opposed the “identity politics” professed by many of her fellow students.
8). After leaving the White House following Trump’s election defeat in 2020, she ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent New Hampshire during the 2022 midterm elections.
9). She also worked as a communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whom Trump has nominated to be US ambassador to the UN.
10). Leavitt’s husband is a businessman. Karoline gave birth to her son in July 2024 and resumed professional duties shortly after giving birth.
