Karoline Leavitt: Rising Republican Star’s White House Role Clouded by Campaign Finance Issues

From New Hampshire Politics to White House Press Secretary

Karoline Leavitt, who has served as the 36th White House press secretary under the second Trump administration since 2025, finds herself at the center of controversy over campaign finance issues.

Campaign Finance Controversy

Leavitt currently owes more than $325,000 in unpaid debts from her 2022 congressional campaign in New Hampshire, where she lost to incumbent Democrat Chris Pappas. These debts went undisclosed for years.

The Federal Election Commission has sent 13 letters to the campaign over the past two years, highlighting problems including excess donations and potentially illegal business contributions. The situation has prompted a formal complaint from the group End Citizens United.

Current Role and Accomplishments

As White House press secretary, Leavitt has facilitated media access during key diplomatic events. Notable among these was the signing of the Congo-Rwanda peace agreement, where she introduced Angolan journalist Hariana Verás to the Oval Office gathering. The moment gained attention when Verás delivered a statement praising the Trump administration’s role in achieving the peace deal.

Background and Career

Leavitt studied politics and communication at Saint Anselm College, graduating in 2019. Her political career began with an internship in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence, where she later became associate director. She served as an assistant White House press secretary in June 2020, and following Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, she worked as communications director for New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

Looking Forward

While End Citizens United has filed an FEC complaint against Leavitt’s committee alleging campaign finance law violations, the FEC, currently operating with only three commissioners, has yet to rule on the case. According to observers, the case’s resolution remains uncertain due to the agency’s limited operational capacity.