President Donald Trump announced on August 12, 2026, that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will depart her role at the end of the month to focus on family, while continuing as an outside adviser. Senior administration officials have indicated that Trump intends to name a successor but sees no urgency, with the possibility of delaying a permanent appointment until after the November 2026 midterm elections, when the position's responsibilities could shift based on congressional outcomes. In the interim, the administration is considering rotating Cabinet officials for press briefings. These factors shape trader assessments of announcement timing around the immediate post-August period versus a post-election window.