Karoline Leavitt gave an emotional farewell on her final day as White House press secretary, describing the role as “the adventure of a lifetime”. She said she was leaving because the demands of the job made it difficult to balance work with caring for her two young children, highlighting the intensity of a high-profile White House communications role.

Leavitt, 28, said she was the youngest press secretary in US history and praised President Donald Trump for appointing her despite concerns about her age. She said the position required near-constant availability, with much of the work involving responding to reporters outside formal briefings, and declined to name possible successors.