The end of August won’t come soon enough for me, and I suspect you either. However in a starling announcement today Trump posted on Truth Social Kakistocracy Karoline Leavitt is stepping away from her job as White House Press Secretary. She followed up with her own post on social media shortly afterwards confirming it. I say good riddance to her but wish we didn’t have to wait until the end of the month!
At least it’s going to happen sooner rather than later, at least according to The Mirror US. It was a rather shocking, sudden announcement and it’s hard not to wonder why Leavitt suddenly wants to “spend more time with family.” I’ll get to my own thoughts but what matters is that Trump himself made it clear she’s leaving her post as his Press Secretary:
“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” Trump wrote.
“Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections,” he added, teasing her new role. It comes after Karoline Leavitt accidentally humiliated Donald Trump as critics asked about his ‘diaper’.
Let’s unpack that. I read another article today saying that Leavitt was almost certain to be on the hot seat soon. I wish I could find it but it says she’s gotten away with being, well herself in large part because Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles has somehow managed to prevent the huge turnover (and resulting chaos) and leaks Trump had during his first term. It also noted recent gaffes by Leavitt, and that while MAGA loves her snark as she insults journalists from the podium when Congress comes back she’ll be facing a different situation. Republican Senators are justly worried about losing control of the chamber and to prevent that some will be taking shots at the administration. Leavitt is too young and inexperienced to navigate what’s coming.
The blocked out area above also mentions Leavitt humiliating Trump over her response to a question about Trump and diapers. Trump can blow off (and does) a lot of criticism and insults as ‘fake news’ but when his own Press Secretary says something he finds humiliating it’s a different thing entirely. Add that in with other recent tone-deaf gaffes and Wiles has probably suggested to Trump it might be time to find someone else. As for the ‘spend time with my family’ how many times have we heard THAT from prominent people (both elected and appointed) in DC when they decide the proverbial kitchen is getting too hot?
Sometimes it’s actually true that a good public servant, or someone who tried to be so decides ‘Screw this. I’m going back to a normal life’ and actually does simply fade away so they can live normally again. Usually though it’s a dodge. The person doesn’t want to leave the spotlight but knows they have no choice. Leavitt has become the face of the administration, at least when Trump doesn’t have his own fat orange face crowding the view. However as I said she’s been in over her head from the beginning. She’s gotten away with it but the temperature in the WH briefing room (or wherever it is when she has to face reporters) is about to go WAY up.
Leavitt married a rich old guy decades older than her. One could make a credible argument she’s a lesser version of Melania – a trophy wife. Whatever. The point is away from the daily grind of DC politics she can live a fabulous life on her hubby’s dime. Trump might be obsessed with her blonde & blue looks – it’s been said he keeps talking about her lips to avoid making crude comments about the rest of her figure – but he’s got a new babe next to him lately. Taller and a bit more like onetime wannabe Princess Ivanka. Did Trump decide Karoline is dispensable? Especially with Wiles urging him to find someone better able to handle what’s going to be a rough fall no matter how the midterms shake out?
Even if Democrats only retake the House which seems likely a bad moon is rising. With the Senate increasingly in play holding on to it will be a lot tougher than Trump and other Republicans had hoped. A WH Press Secretary that’s not up to the job is the last thing they need. Of course, the ever image obsessed Trump doesn’t want it to look like he’s firing Leavitt who he’s gushed all over during her tenure as being ‘one of the best ever.’ So, at least for appearances sake she will continue on in a consulting role from wherever the hell she and her hubby live. Leavitt addressed her new ‘duties” in her own statement:
Trump, she said, asked her to continue serving as a top adviser to him “on the outside.”
“I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party. Our country is facing an existential threat from an increasingly extremist Democrat Party that seeks to destroy everything great about America, and I believe it is incumbent upon all of us who care about this country to fight back against that threat,” she wrote. “My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over.”
Making an appearance on stage at some event or the occasional comment on social media, if only to keep herself viable for a gig on Fox down the road isn’t nearly the same role as she’s been playing in the current Trump administration. And I can’t help but think that since she’s been part of Trump’s inner circle she’s all too aware of his tantrums. I think she is clear-eyed enough to see what’s coming in November and getting the hell away from Trump and all his crazy (which will become constantly batsh!t insanity) while the getting is good.
As I said, she’s simply not up to dealing with the kind of questioning she’d be getting this fall. However she’s rich. Or at least her husband is so she can just relax and enjoy it for a while. AND as I said MAGAs have enjoyed her performance so far. She’s positioned herself well for a gig on Fox. She might need it. I know this is mean but there’s an ugly truth most trophy wives face – at some point hubby decides he wants a younger model. Leavitt might have a decent prenup but she might well need a nice, fat contract with Fox down the road. That’s why I say she has decided to move on. While she can AND keep the most options open to herself.
But at least she’ll be gone. Even if we have to wait until the end of the month for her sendoff from the WH. Let’s just hope I’m correct and her continued participation with Team Trump is at best at a token level. I’ll settle for that.
