Trump Thanks Karoline Leavitt for “Fantastic Job” as Press Secretary
Trump praises his former spokesperson weeks after her departure and days after Fox News announced her hiring as an on-air contributor.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump thanked former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, calling her tenure “fantastic” as she prepares to join Fox News.
Trump said her performance “could not have been better.” The post arrived six days after Fox News announced it had hired Leavitt as an on-air contributor starting in November, according to theguardian.
Leavitt, 29, was the youngest press secretary in White House history. She stepped down from the role in August after the birth of her second child, according to theguardian.
Her move to Fox News follows a path carved by predecessors from Trump’s first administration. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kayleigh McEnany both joined the network after leaving government, according to theguardian.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “I just want to pay my respect and thanks to Karoline Leavitt for the fantastic job she has done as White House Press Secretary — Could not have been better! Trump” on October 11, 2026 at 5:05 PM ET.
This is Trump’s 8th message released today, and the last post was 5 hours ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 40 of his 543 posts over the last 30 days classified as Personal Praise, Greetings & Tributes posts.
Fox News Media chief executive Suzanne Scott praised Leavitt’s “authentic and sharp insight” in a statement announcing the hire. Scott said Leavitt’s “first-hand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of today’s political landscape,” according to theguardian.
Leavitt said she was “grateful for the opportunity.” She added that she looked forward to bringing “the same energy and candor that defined my tenure, to Fox‘s millions of viewers across their many platforms,” according to theguardian. Fox News plans to feature her commentary beginning November 1, according to theguardian.
During her tenure, Leavitt sought to reshape the White House media landscape. She moved to exert greater control over the press pool and created a “new media” briefing room seat often filled by conservative commentators, according to theguardian. She frequently clashed with reporters covering the administration.
Before serving as press secretary, Leavitt joined the Trump administration in 2019. She ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in New Hampshire in 2024 before returning to the White House, according to newrepublic. The press secretary position has not been filled since her departure, according to newrepublic.
Trump’s praise for Leavitt’s Fox News move came despite his recent public criticisms of the network. He posted a lengthy attack on the morning show “ Fox & Fri ends” on truthsocial days earlier for not airing his rallies, according to theguardian. He also criticized the network for cutting ties with longtime h ost Maria Barti romo, according to theguardian.
Zenger analysis
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President Trump is the author of Trump: The Art of the Deal, Trump: Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, Real Estate, and Life, and Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life. Analyst and Trump supporter Rod Martin points to The Art of the Deal, Trump's 1987 book, as an explanation of his deal-making philosophy: making big announcements, pivoting often in public statements and, Martin says, ultimately getting what he wanted all along. Critics contend that Trump's books were published decades ago or were aimed at making money, not shedding light. "Generally," Martin said, "critics don't read The Art of the Deal. If they did, they would understand."