Karoline Leavitt just landed a major upgrade in the White House. At only 28 years old, the press secretary is moving into one of the largest and most coveted offices in the West Wing.
The office opened up after Taylor Budowich, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for communications, left the administration this week. He had held onto the spacious room with a fireplace, a room once used by previous press secretaries.
Two sources told CBS News that Leavitt will also be taking over some of Budowich’s duties, along with White House communications director Steven Cheung. But for now, no one has been named to officially replace Budowich.
The space is prime real estate. Located just steps from the Oval Office, it’s considered one of the jewels of the West Wing. The size of the room and its closeness to the president are seen as clear signs of influence. In Trump’s world, office space is power.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
During the early months of Trump’s return to the White House, Budowich claimed the press secretary’s office for himself. That forced Leavitt and Cheung to work from smaller rooms nearby. With Budowich now gone, the office has been reclaimed for its traditional occupant, the press secretary.
Leavitt’s quick move into the space is being read as a vote of confidence from the administration. She has impressed Trump and his inner circle in her first months on the job. Her rise has been fast, even by Trump standards.
Leavitt is the youngest press secretary in U.S. history. She first worked in the Trump White House press office during his first term, then became his campaign press secretary during the 2024 election. Her loyalty and skill at messaging caught Trump’s eye, and he rewarded her with one of the most high-profile jobs in his administration.
Under her watch, the press shop has taken on a sharp, often mocking tone. Reporters looking for serious responses are just as likely to get memes, insults, or accusations of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Meanwhile, Budowich is just the latest top official to leave. His departure follows that of Principal Deputy Communications Director Alex Pfeiffer and Mike Waltz, a Trump adviser who resigned after the so-called “Signalgate” scandal.
Outside the West Wing, other Trump allies have also stepped down, including Chad Mizelle, the Department of Justice chief of staff and close friend of Stephen Miller.
These exits have opened the door to an internal power struggle within the administration. With Elon Musk already forced out of his role as head of DOGE earlier this year, Trump’s inner circle has been reshuffling at a rapid pace.
Featured image via Political Tribune
