American political adviser and podcaster, current communications director for the Department of Government Efficiency
Karoline Leavitt has announced she will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. President Donald Trump has said she will remain a top outside adviser; the White House has not named a successor and senior officials are expected to brief reporters temporarily.
Leavitt has stepped down as White House press secretary, joining MAGA Inc. and shaping her next moves. Trump is weighing candidates, with speculation centering on Margo Martin and Scott Jennings as potential successors. The departure marks a significant shift in the administration’s communications approach.
The Venice film festival features a four-hour documentary on Elon Musk that critics say is highly critical. Musk has branded the film a hit piece, while director Alex Gibney defends it as rigorous inquiry. The documentary includes AI-generated Musk commentary and details about Musk's business ventures and public presence.
The United States, Denmark and Greenland have signed a security agreement that has given Washington permanent control over Greenland’s security and will allow an expanded US military presence. The pact allows the US to modernise Pituffik Space Base, re-establish bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig and bar non‑NATO states from building bases or making sensitive investments without US approval.
Westchester County's voting machines are not accepting paper ballots due to a compatibility issue with ballot thickness. Officials are counting ballots by hand with party and law enforcement oversight. The issue has affected the NY-17 race between Rep. Mike Lawler and Cait Conley. Voters are urged to stay in line while ballots are processed.
Trump-era health policy tensions spill into public view as Calley Means alleges internal interference by Susie Wiles and others, while new chief of staff Stephen Miller signals a shift. The feud raises questions about who is guiding the Make America Healthy Again agenda and what that means for policy and politics.