Move to cable commentary

Fox News Media announced on Monday, 5 October 2026, that former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will join the network as a political commentator. Leavitt, who stepped down from her administration post at the end of August 2026, will make her on-air debut on 1 November. Fox News Media chief executive Suzanne Scott announced the hiring in an official statement, citing Leavitt's direct experience inside the administration and on the presidential campaign trail. The network stated that Leavitt will contribute analysis across multiple Fox News Media platforms.

“Karoline's firsthand experiences in the White House and on the campaign trail provide her with a deep understanding of today's political landscape. We look forward to her providing our audience with authentic and incisive insights across all FOX News Media platforms.”

White House tenure and family departure

Leavitt, who is 29 years old, became the youngest press secretary in US history when Donald Trump appointed her in January 2025 at age 27. She had previously worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before serving as a campaign spokesperson in 2024 and transition spokesperson following his victory. In December 2024, Leavitt announced her pregnancy, becoming the first sitting press secretary to do so. She gave birth to her daughter Viviana in May 2026 with her husband Nicholas Riccio, with whom she also has a two-year-old son, Niko. After returning to the podium on 16 July 2026 following maternity leave, Leavitt chose to step down to dedicate more time to her family, describing the position as one of the most demanding jobs in the world. Trump announced her departure on 12 August 2026, noting that she would remain an outside adviser.

Media strategy and press room conflict

During her tenure, the New Hampshire native conducted an aggressive communication strategy against traditional news organizations. She expanded access to the White House briefing room for digital creators aligned with the Make America Great Again movement while seeking tighter control over the press pool. Since her departure at the end of August 2026, the White House has held no regular press briefings, and Trump has not named a replacement. Tensions increased further when the administration attempted to bar CNN, MS Now, and Politico, an effort blocked by a federal judge.

Super PAC role and career transitions

Following her exit from the White House, Leavitt joined the pro-Trump political action committee MAGA Inc. in September 2026, affirming that she intended to remain an advocate for the Republican Party. Her transition to cable television reflects a broader pattern of personnel exchanges between presidential administrations and news organizations. Fox News previously hired former Trump press secretaries Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kayleigh McEnany, while the progressive cable channel MS Now signed Joe Biden's former press secretary Jen Psaki.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue appearing on FOX News Channel as an official member of the outstanding FOX News Media team. I look forward to sharing my unique perspective gained from serving as White House Press Secretary, along with the same energy and candor that defined my tenure, with millions of Fox viewers across their multiple platforms.”

Network timing and election dynamics

Leavitt's debut is scheduled less than a month before the 2026 US midterm elections. Her hiring coincides with other programming adjustments at Fox News, including the appointment of former National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow to Maria Bartiromo's Sunday morning slot through the election period. The network announced the addition shortly after Trump criticized Fox News on Truth Social on 4 October 2026, complaining that the channel failed to air his campaign rallies and gave airtime to political opponents.