axios.com/2026/08/12/trump-k…
Karoline Leavitt will be stepping down
from her role as White House press secretary at the end of the month, President Trump announced Wednesday in a Truth Social post.The big picture: Leavitt is leaving to spend more time with her family, the president said. A member of Trump’s team who followed him from his presidential campaign to the White House, she’s been a fiercely loyal face of the White House.
Driving the news: Trump said in the surprise post that Leavitt will become one of his top outside advisers and “an influential voice within the Republican Party” heading into the midterm elections.
Leavitt, 28, said in a post that being a mother and welcoming a new baby while serving as press secretary “has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least.”
She continued, “The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary.”
When reached for comment, the White House pointed to statements made by Leavitt and Trump.
Zoom in: Leavitt made headlines for being the youngest White House press secretary to hold the role.She defended the White House through multiple controversies and the biggest stories of the president’s second term so far, including the Signalgate scandal, the release of the Epstein files and the Iran war.
Even in her statement announcing her departure, she took aim at Democrats that she said seek “to destroy everything great about America.”
Leavitt also backed the Trump administration’s tightening of press coverage, telling Axios last year that the administration wanted to expand access — opening the press corps to influencers and MAGA-friendly voices — and not limit it.
Context: The president directly chooses the White House press secretary, a position that does not require Senate confirmation.Trump had four press secretaries during his first term.
Editor’s note: This story was updated throughout with additional information.
–President Trump speaks to reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stands nearby.
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 13, 2026
Author: wawiimuy
Members of Trump’s cabinet remained on decoy plane, after Trump’s quiet exit bbc.com/news/articles/c4g306…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 13, 2026
In the occupied West Bank, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, appealed on Thursday to Israeli authorities to help Palestinian families trapped in their homes by settlers for days, amid an intensifying campaign to seize their land.
🚨 BREAKING;
🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin: “You want to sanction our energy? Effective IMMEDIATELY, Russia is halting all Titanium exports for your aviation industry and cutting off enriched uranium to the West.”
🇪🇺 EU Leaders: “We will sanction your banks to the Stone Age! We don’t need your resources, we will build green infrastructure!”
🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin: “With what titanium? With what rare metals? Your factories are halting and your jets can’t take off. We’ve already rerouted 100% of our supply to Asia. Good luck running your economy on press releases!” 🔥💥
SUMMARY: Russia just locked the vault and threw away the key! European manufacturing in shock! 🚨💀
Video
— @AmericanpowerUs Aug 13, 2026
#KarolineLeavitt #Trump #PlaneSwitch
Was Karoline Leavitt fired by Trump, and why?Unverified Rumors:
Because her departure came as a surprise to some, unverified internet rumors and speculation surfaced. These include unsubstantiated claims of workplace friction involving Trump aide Natalie Harp, or frustration over a recent incident where Leavitt was allegedly left behind on Air Force One during a secret presidential plane switch. However, no credible public evidence supports these theories, and the verified reason remains her personal choice to focus on her family.Was Karoline Leavitt fired by Trump, and why?
AI Mode
No, Karoline Leavitt was not fired by Donald Trump. She is voluntarily resigning from her role as White House Press Secretary effective at the end of August 2026. [1, 2]
The Official Reason
According to statements from both Donald Trump and Leavitt, she is stepping down to prioritize her family and spend more time with her two young children. [1, 2, 3]Family Focus: Leavitt recently gave birth to her second child in May 2026. She noted on social media that juggling the demanding nature of the White House press room with being the mother her children deserve had become too challenging. [2, 4, 5]
Trump’s Response: Trump heavily praised her job performance on Truth Social, calling her a “real leader” and one of his “most trusted aides.” He stated that he fully respects her decision. [2, 3, 6]Next Steps and Rumors
Future Role: Rather than being cast aside, Leavitt is transitioning to become one of Trump’s top outside political advisers to help the Republican Party gear up for the upcoming November midterm elections. [1, 3, 5, 6]
Unverified Rumors: Because her departure came as a surprise to some, unverified internet rumors and speculation surfaced. These include unsubstantiated claims of workplace friction involving Trump aide Natalie Harp, or frustration over a recent incident where Leavitt was allegedly left behind on Air Force One during a secret presidential plane switch. However, no credible public evidence supports these theories, and the verified reason remains her personal choice to focus on her family. [1, 7, 8, 9][1] facebook.com
[2] aljazeera.com
[3] cnbc.com
[4] nytimes.com
[5] abc.net.au
[6] bbc.com
[7] facebook.com
[8] youtube.com
[9] hindustantimes.com— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 13, 2026
#KarolineLeavitt #Trump #PlaneSwitch
Unverified Rumors:
Because her departure came as a surprise to some, unverified internet rumors and speculation surfaced. These include unsubstantiated claims of workplace friction involving Trump aide Natalie Harp, or frustration over a recent incident where Leavitt was allegedly left behind on Air Force One during a secret presidential plane switch. However, no credible public evidence supports these theories, and the verified reason remains her personal choice to focus on her family.Was Karoline Leavitt fired by Trump, and why?
AI Mode
No, Karoline Leavitt was not fired by Donald Trump. She is voluntarily resigning from her role as White House Press Secretary effective at the end of August 2026. [1, 2]
The Official Reason
According to statements from both Donald Trump and Leavitt, she is stepping down to prioritize her family and spend more time with her two young children. [1, 2, 3]Family Focus: Leavitt recently gave birth to her second child in May 2026. She noted on social media that juggling the demanding nature of the White House press room with being the mother her children deserve had become too challenging. [2, 4, 5]
Trump’s Response: Trump heavily praised her job performance on Truth Social, calling her a “real leader” and one of his “most trusted aides.” He stated that he fully respects her decision. [2, 3, 6]Next Steps and Rumors
Future Role: Rather than being cast aside, Leavitt is transitioning to become one of Trump’s top outside political advisers to help the Republican Party gear up for the upcoming November midterm elections. [1, 3, 5, 6]
Unverified Rumors: Because her departure came as a surprise to some, unverified internet rumors and speculation surfaced. These include unsubstantiated claims of workplace friction involving Trump aide Natalie Harp, or frustration over a recent incident where Leavitt was allegedly left behind on Air Force One during a secret presidential plane switch. However, no credible public evidence supports these theories, and the verified reason remains her personal choice to focus on her family. [1, 7, 8, 9][1] facebook.com
[2] aljazeera.com
[3] cnbc.com
[4] nytimes.com
[5] abc.net.au
[6] bbc.com
[7] facebook.com
[8] youtube.com
[9] hindustantimes.com— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 13, 2026
🇯🇵🇷🇺 Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi on Putin’s Kuril Islands visit:
“I strongly protest today’s visit to Iturup Island by President Putin.
The Northern Territories are inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law, and this visit to Iturup Island by Russia’s incumbent president is incompatible with Japan’s consistent position on the Northern Territories.
Moreover, it wounds the feelings of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable.”高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae)本日13日、ロシアのプーチン大統領が択捉島を訪問したと報告を受け、先程、公邸でぶら下がり記者会見を行いました。
2024年1月にプーチン大統領が北方領土を必ず訪問する旨述べて以来、日本政府としては、ロシア側に対し、大統領による北方領土訪問が行われないよう、累次申し入れてきました。
それにもかかわらず、本日、プーチン大統領が択捉島を訪問したことに、強く抗議します。
北方領土は、歴史的にも国際法上も我が国固有の領土であり、ロシアの現職の大統領による今般の択捉島訪問は、北方領土に関する日本の一貫した立場と相容れません。
また、日本国民の感情を傷つけるものであり、断じて許容できません。
ロシアによるウクライナ侵略を受けて日露関係は厳しい状況にある中でも、日本はできる限りの努力を払ってきましたが、今回の訪問は、日本国内の対露感情を一層厳しくし、中長期的な関係回復を困難にしたと言わざるを得ません。
ロシア側においては、このことの重大さを深刻に受け止めてほしいと考えています。— https://x.com/takaichi_sanae/status/2087811911962484934
— @visegrad24 Aug 13, 2026
Zelensky on Patriot missiles:
“I’m asking American partners to sell us 5% of [Patriot] missiles from their stocks. If they sell us 5%, we will go through the winter and save people’s lives. If they can sell us 10%, we will destroy all the Russians’ ballistic missiles.”
Video
— @visegrad24 Aug 13, 2026
#CIA #DIA #Mossad
GENERAL NEWS REVIEW – 6:13 AM 8/13/2026
x.com/mikenov/status/2087839…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov)GLOBAL #SECURITY AND #INTELLIGENCE #NEWS REVIEW
Today’s Top News Stories Briefing
share.gemini.google/9LAdoWwK…
Here is a briefing on today’s top news stories:
U.S. Politics & Policy
Probe into Military Deportations: Congressional Democrats have launched an investigation into the Trump administration’s efforts to deport military service members and their families. The probe follows reports that over 50 active-duty troops’ spouses and parents have been detained by immigration authorities, prompting lawmakers to question whether the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security are coordinating on these actions.
Second Attempt to Restrict Birthright Citizenship: After the Supreme Court struck down a previous executive order, President Trump signed two new executive actions aimed at limiting birthright citizenship and curbing “birth tourism”. The new order is narrower in scope, focusing on children born to adults with connections to foreign embassies or organizations, and those whose parents allegedly engaged in fraudulent activity to obtain citizenship.Middle East Conflict
Strait of Hormuz and Economic Sanctions: President Trump claims the U.S. has “full control” of the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted a shift toward economic pressure, dubbed “Operation Economic Fury,” to compel Iran to end its nuclear program and reopen the strait. Crude oil prices have climbed amid these tensions, as the blockade continues to limit global energy supplies.
Demands for Reparations: Tensions remain high as Iran demands war reparations from the U.S. and Israel, a condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Trump scoffed at the demand and stated the U.S. will seek compensation from Iran for decades of casualties caused by Iran-backed militants.
Internal Changes in Iran: Iran has appointed Mohsen Rezaei, a hard-line former Revolutionary Guard commander, to head its Supreme National Security Council. Meanwhile, Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is calling for “unity and cohesion” amid severe economic hardships caused by the ongoing conflict and sanctions.Global News
Ukraine Port Strike: A Russian strike has sparked a fire at a Ukrainian port. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is renewing pleas for interceptors, as Ukraine has reported an acute shortage of Patriot interceptors since the U.S. went to war with Iran in February.
Houthi Attack in Yemen: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched an attack on a Red Sea port town controlled by government forces, killing seven people and injuring 30. The attack is one of the largest waves of Houthi strikes on Yemeni military positions since a 2022 truce.
–News – AI Mode
The top global and national headlines for Thursday, August 13, 2026, feature a major White House departure, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and significant domestic events. [1, 2]
🏛️ White House & U.S. Politics
Press Secretary Steps Down: Karoline Leavitt is officially leaving her role as White House Press Secretary at the end of August. Her departure follows intense media scrutiny surrounding the administration’s handling of communications. [2, 3, 4]Secret Flight Controversy: Debate continues regarding President Trump’s sudden covert aircraft switch during a trip from Turkey. Reports indicate the shift occurred after intelligence services detected a specific Iranian missile threat. [4, 5]
🌐 International & Military ConflictsStrait of Hormuz Escalation: Following ongoing regional conflict, President Trump declared via social media that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz and signaled intentions to maintain a military presence there. [1, 5]
Ukraine Shortages: President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine only possesses roughly 10% of the Patriot missile interceptors needed to combat surging Russian ballistic missile strikes, citing a redirect of U.S. resources toward the Middle East. [4, 6]Black Sea Infrastructure Hit: Russian grain export terminals suffered severe disruptions following recent strikes, sparking renewed global warnings regarding North African and Asian food supplies. [7]
🚨 Domestic News & Accidents
Military Helicopter Crash: A U.S. Army helicopter slammed into a field in Central Texas and caught fire, tragically killing two soldiers and igniting a local wildfire. [8]Tech Policy: AI provider Anthropic introduced mandatory text watermarking for its Claude models to align with strict EU compliance guidelines, drawing swift pushback from professional and student user bases. [8]
Lottery: The massive Powerball jackpot has officially reset after a single ticket holder in Illinois stepped forward to claim a staggering $1.04 billion prize. [3, 9]🌌 Science & Culture
European Solar Eclipse: Millions across Europe gathered to watch a total solar eclipse create a rare, spectacular sunset across the path of totality. [10]
High-Profile Nuptials: NFL star Travis Kelce shared details regarding his high-profile wedding to Taylor Swift, confirming the ceremony took place at Madison Square Garden. [11]If you would like to zoom in on a specific topic, please let me know:
Do you want deeper analytical updates on the Strait of Hormuz conflict?Are you looking for more details on the White House press secretary transition?
Would you prefer a breakdown of local news in a specific city or region? [1, 2][1] cbsnews.com
[2] axios.com[3] foxnews.com
[4] cnn.com
[5] cbsnews.com–
[6] aljazeera.com
[7] bbc.com
[8] news.google.com
[9] yahoo.com
[10] npr.org
[11] bbc.com— https://x.com/mikenov/status/2087839789642870967— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 13, 2026