President-elect Donald Trump has chosen campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt to serve as press secretary for his new administration.
"Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign," Trump said Friday evening. "I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary."
"Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator," he continued. "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."
At 27, Leavitt will be the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history. She breaks the record set by Ron Ziegler, who served as press secretary for Nixon at age 29.
"Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me," Leavitt posted on X Friday night. "I am humbled and honored. Let's MAGA!"
Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored.
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) November 16, 2024
Let’s MAGA!🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UF1ljE1r9R
During Trump’s campaign, Leavitt fiercely defended him against attacks from the opposition. "They forced him to take a mug shot, tried to remove his name from the ballot, and made him sit in a courthouse for weeks," Leavitt said last week on "Fox & Friends."
"They even tried to kill him — twice. And yet, the American people see a leader who lifts his fist and says, ‘fight, fight, fight’ for this country," she added.
Leavitt has prior White House experience, having worked in Trump's first administration as assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. She also ran for Congress in 2022, winning her primary but losing the general election.
Speculation about Leavitt's appointment was high, though other contenders were considered. Trump ultimately chose Leavitt for the role, while naming Steven Cheung as communications director earlier Friday.
Trump’s second administration is shaping up quickly. Key appointments include Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for Health and Human Services, Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, and Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
"The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin," Leavitt told Fox News Digital. "His Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First and keep his promises."