College Internships and Early Career
Leavitt’s ambition to enter the political world crystalized during college. She interned at Hearst Television’s WMUR-TV, a local New Hampshire station, gaining firsthand experience in journalism and media production. Her most significant internship came the summer before her senior year, when she worked as a writer in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence. Following her graduation in 2019, she briefly returned to the same office, officially starting her journey in national politics. She was also the first member of her immediate family to earn a college degree—an achievement that underscored the transformative power of education in her life.
Her White House internship positioned her for further opportunities, and it wasn’t long before she found herself working directly in the West Wing.
First Trump Administration: White House Press Office
In the latter part of the Trump administration, Karoline Leavitt joined the White House Press Office as an assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. Known for her articulate defenses of President Trump and adversarial approach toward the media, McEnany became a political role model for Leavitt. Leavitt quickly earned a reputation for her discipline, loyalty, and capacity to manage intense political scrutiny—traits that would serve her well in future roles.
Her time in the Trump administration was marked by the high-paced, media-centric culture that defined Trump’s presidency. She drafted talking points, briefed reporters, and helped shape the messaging of one of the most media-focused White Houses in American history. When the administration ended in January 2021, Leavitt transitioned seamlessly into a new chapter in Republican politics.