**Trump Appoints Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary**

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - In a historical move, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, as the White House press secretary. At 27, Leavitt is set to become the youngest person ever to hold this position, surpassing Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he served under President Richard Nixon.

Trump praised Leavitt for her outstanding performance during his campaign and expressed his confidence in her abilities in a statement, saying, "Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we Make America Great Again."

Leavitt, currently a spokesperson for Trump's transition, showed her gratitude on social media, writing, "Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored. Let's MAGA."

Traditionally, the White House press secretary serves as the administration's public representative, conducting daily briefings for the press. However, Trump disrupted this norm during his first term by often engaging directly with the public through rallies, social media, and his own briefings. This led to varying levels of public engagement from his four different press secretaries during his presidency from 2017 to 2021.

At a press conference in August, Trump indicated that his new administration would likely have regular press briefings and that he would ensure total media access, promising, "If it's not daily, it's going to be a lot. You'll have more than you want."

Leavitt, a staunch advocate for Trump and a New Hampshire native, has been known for her quick and aggressive defenses of the Republican leader in media appearances. Before joining Trump's 2024 campaign, she worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump. In 2022, she ran in a 10-way Republican primary for Congress in New Hampshire but lost to the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Chris Pappas.

Previously, Leavitt served in the White House press office during Trump's first term and later worked as communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik. Stefanik has been tapped by Trump to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump's previous press secretaries included Sean Spicer and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, both known for their contentious interactions with the press, Stephanie Grisham, who never held a briefing, and Kayleigh McEnany, who frequently challenged the media during her tenure. Leavitt's appointment signals a potential return to this dynamic but may also bring her unique style to the role.