Trump names Karoline Leavitt White House press secretary

President-elect Trump has tapped Karoline Leavitt, the top spokesperson for his 2024 campaign, to be his White House press secretary when he takes office in January.

“Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary," Trump said in a statement Friday evening. "Karoline is smart, 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 as we, Make America Great Again.”

Leavitt, 27, previously served in the Trump White House as assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany, now a leading host on Fox News.

Leavitt will be the youngest person to serve in the White House's top press role since Ron Ziegler in the 1970s during former President Nixon’s administration. Ziegler was 29 at the time he was selected for the position.

Before joining Trump's 2024 campaign, Leavitt worked as a top aide to Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), whom Trump chose this week to serve as ambassador to the United Nations.

Leavitt also ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District, though she won a contested GOP primary.

She was widely viewed as the favorite for the position in Trump's administration as speculation swirled across media and political circles about whom Trump would select to serve as his top spokesperson in the White House.

That list included top legal spokesperson Alina Habba, CNN commentator Scott Jennings, and Steven Cheung, who Trump announced earlier would serve as White House communications director once he takes office.

Leavitt, like many of Trump's top spokespeople and surrogates, became known during the 2024 campaign for her willingness to clash with anchors and reporters, often pushing back on questions and coverage that was critical of the former president.