Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has signed on as a Fox News contributor, according to Fox News Media’s official announcement. The move, reported Monday Oct 5, 2026 EDT, follows her departure from the West Wing after roughly 20 months as President Donald Trump’s press secretary. Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in American history, now joins a long line of former White House communicators who have moved into cable news. This transition marks a significant moment as Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Joins Fox News.
Who Is Karoline Leavitt?
Karoline Leavitt is a Republican communications strategist who served as White House press secretary under President Donald Trump beginning in January 2025, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the job. Before that, she was a spokesperson for Trump’s 2020 campaign, an assistant press secretary in the first Trump administration, and a congressional candidate in New Hampshire. NBC News reported that her rapid rise made her one of the most visible faces of the MAGA movement.
Her press secretary experience shaped a combative briefing style. She routinely sparred with reporters and leaned on Trump’s Truth Social account to bypass traditional outlets, a tactic Fox News documented throughout her tenure.
In summary, the media landscape continues to evolve, and Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Joins Fox News, highlighting the trend of political figures transitioning to influential media roles.
When Did Karoline Leavitt Join Fox News and What Role Will She Have?
Leavitt joined Fox News as a paid contributor in early October 2026, with the announcement made on Monday, according to the Fox News Media press release. Her role will include commentary across Fox News programs and Fox News Digital, offering political analysis on the Trump administration’s legacy and the 2026 midterm elections.
The Los Angeles Times and Politico both confirmed the contributor deal, meaning she is not an anchor or host. Expect her to appear as a Fox News contributor on panel segments, much like other former officials.
Why Did Karoline Leavitt Leave the White House?
She stepped down because President Trump said she would transition to an outside advisor role, and she cited family considerations, including her young son, as a factor. Fox News reported that Trump announced the shift in August 2026, praising her service and saying she would remain a loyal voice for the administration from the outside.
Her stated reasons emphasized family over friction. Fox News noted that Leavitt called her time in the West Wing the honor of her career, while making clear she wanted more time at home. She has also reportedly been working on a book project about her experience, per CNN’s reporting.
What Did Karoline Leavitt Do Before Fox?
Before Fox, Leavitt built her career entirely inside Trump’s political world. Her résumé includes assistant press secretary in the first Trump administration, national press secretary for the 2024 campaign, and a 2022 congressional run in New Hampshire. That experience, White House veterans say, gave her deep familiarity with how the administration communicates.
She remains aligned with the Republican Party and MAGA politics. The Washington Post reported that her move keeps her in the public eye ahead of future campaign cycles.
How Much Does Fox News Pay Contributors?
Contributor salaries at major cable networks are not publicly disclosed, and Leavitt’s Fox News contract details have not been released. Industry reporting has long suggested contributor pay ranges from a few hundred dollars per appearance to seven-figure deals for marquee names. The New York Times covered her signing without reporting financial terms, which is typical for such deals.
A practical rule: if a network doesn’t announce the money, assume it’s negotiable and performance-based. Is Karoline Leavitt still at Fox News? Yes, as of October 2026 she is an active contributor, per NBC News.
Which Other White House Press Secretaries Have Joined Media?
Leavitt joins a well-worn path. Kayleigh McEnany, the former White House press secretary from Trump’s first term, became a Fox News contributor and co-host after leaving office. Dana Perino, press secretary under President George W. Bush, now anchors a Fox program. Jen Psaki went to MSNBC after serving President Biden.
The revolving door between politics and press is decades old. Outlets from NBC News to The Guardian and PBS News have examined how these moves blur lines between government messaging and journalism, a concern media ethicists raise each time it happens.
What Controversies and Tensions Surround the Move?
Leavitt’s tenure included frequent clashes with the press corps, disputes over briefing access, and criticism from outlets including the Associated Press, which had its own legal battle with the administration over coverage terms. Her combative style drew praise from supporters and condemnation from press freedom groups.
There’s also tension in the destination itself. Trump has repeatedly attacked Fox News coverage on Truth Social even while hiring its alumni, and CNN noted the irony of a president who criticizes the network while his former spokesperson joins it. Asked whether Trump prefers Fox News or CNN, his record shows a complicated relationship with both.
Support Independent Journalism and Go Deeper
Local and independent outlets need your support now more than ever. Here at the Utica Phoenix, we believe accountability journalism, from the White House to Utica City Hall, depends on readers, not corporate owners. You can support our journalism with a subscription, or share our reporting with neighbors who value facts.
Educate Your Inbox
Sign up for our free newsletters and get progressive analysis in your inbox. To subscribe here, simply enter email address in the field below. The email address subscribe process takes seconds: fill in the address subscribe form, and if something goes wrong, the subscribe form error will display a form error message. If an error message goes here, message goes here too. Here, thank you and please check inbox to confirm. Please check inbox to confirm your subscription to finish. You can also filter wellness, politics, and local news topics to fit your interests.
For Subscribers: Related and Most Viewed Coverage
Subscribers get deeper reporting from across the news world. Recent subscriber-only stories include the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland security deal; a NASA project studying weather wildfires create; a poll showing the Latino vote is not a monolith; Taiwan reckoning with fending for itself as Trump pivots on China; how Trump’s strikes against Houthis foreshadowed struggles in the Iran war; and why 7 million fewer working women get paid time off than men. Other most viewed pieces cover a special prosecutor taking over the Cornell investigation and more than 10,000 ICE officers receiving additional training. For more national context, see our related coverage of White House pandemic accountability, the White House’s international planning, a former House speaker’s abuse settlement, a fact-check of viral misinformation, and a civil rights conversation.
Follow NBC News and Other Sections
For ongoing coverage, follow NBC News politics sections, PBS News, and local reporting from your area. Whether it’s TV, featured investigations, or local news, the search for trustworthy sources matters. Skip the noise; go deeper.
FAQ
Why is Caroline Leavitt leaving as White House press secretary?
Karoline Leavitt left the press secretary role in August 2026 after President Donald Trump said she would become an outside advisor. She cited family considerations, including wanting more time with her young son, while calling her West Wing service the honor of her career. She remains aligned with the administration’s politics.
Does Trump like Fox News or CNN?
Trump has a long, complicated relationship with Fox News, praising friendly hosts while attacking critical coverage on Truth Social. He has consistently denounced CNN as unfair. His pattern suggests he favors outlets that cover him positively, and Fox’s hiring of his former press secretary reflects that ongoing alliance.
Who is a liberal anchor on Fox News?
Fox News has employed relatively few openly liberal anchors. Figures such as Geraldo Rivera and Jessica Tarlov have offered center-left perspectives as contributors and co-hosts. The network’s lineup remains predominantly conservative, which is why critics question its balance.
What did Fox News say about Trump?
Fox News coverage of Trump has generally been favorable, especially in prime time. CEO Suzanne Scott praised the Trump administration’s former spokesperson as a rising star when announcing her contributor deal. Trump, however, has still criticized the network at times when coverage disappointed him.
Conclusion
Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt joining Fox News is more than a career move. It shows how the line between government messaging and cable commentary keeps thinning. Here’s what to do next: support independent journalism in the Mohawk Valley, subscribe to outlets that hold power accountable, and share factual reporting with your community. An informed America depends on it.
