Young Catholic woman becomes Trump’s newest press secretary

Listen To Story Above

Newly appointed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attributes her core values and professional success to her Catholic education background. As the youngest person ever selected for this prestigious role, she expressed gratitude to President-elect Donald Trump for this historic appointment.

“My upbringing is absolutely everything to me. It is why I’m a conservative, it’s why I believe, in the American dream,” Leavitt said in a 2021 interview on *The Catholic Current*.

Congratulations to @karolineleavitt on becoming the next (& youngest!) White House Press Secretary!

I can’t wait to watch you take on the Fake News pic.twitter.com/Feo6MT7MOV

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) November 16, 2024

Reflecting on her educational journey, she shared how her parents “worked their butts off to send me to a Catholic high school in Lawrence, Massachusetts.” She continued, “Central Catholic High School was an incredible place. It taught me discipline, it brought me closer in my own relationship with God, and it also taught me the importance of public service and giving back to your community.”

During the podcast, which also featured Catholic convert J.D. Vance, Leavitt, who maintains a daily prayer practice, elaborated on her educational path. “Having a Catholic education really formed who I am,” she told host Father Robert McTeigue. “And I went on later to continue that Catholic education through college. I am very proud that I am the first member of my family to receive an undergraduate degree, thanks to the hard work of my parents and my family.”

Speaking about her college experience, Leavitt shared, “I went to Saint Anselm College in Amherst, New Hampshire, and those values of hard work, determination, were really ingrained in me from a young age.”

She emphasized her family’s work ethic: “We went to work every single day, and you work hard, and nothing in this life is given, everything needs to be earned. I was taught that very young, and those values were really instilled in me and ingrained in me through my Catholic education that I am so grateful for.”

Her academic journey included studying abroad at Rome’s John Cabot University, a detail that caught Italian media attention following her appointment.

Discussing her faith, Leavitt revealed, “My faith in God carries me through. I wake up every day and say my prayers and ask God to give me the strength I need to power through another day.” This spiritual foundation shapes her pro-life stance.

“I am proudly pro-life. I truly believe this is one of the pivotal issues facing our country and our world,” she stated.

Elaborating on her position, she declared, “The issue of life is of the utmost importance. It is very clear in our Constitution. Without the right to life, nothing else matters. As a young woman I feel I am in a very unique position to really message this issue in a way that resonates with young women across our country.”

She critiqued current messaging around abortion: “We need to instill a culture that brings and fosters and cares for life again because unfortunately the left has really owned the messaging on this issue. It is not about women’s reproductive rights. It is not about women’s health. It is about life and protecting that, period.”

Karoline Leavitt is the youngest press secretary in history.

JD Vance is the 3rd youngest VP in history.

Matt Gaetz is the 3rd youngest AG in history.

Our movement is young, tough, and ready to save America.

The next generation is rising. pic.twitter.com/foSaJIb1hv

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 16, 2024

Leavitt acknowledged contemporary challenges: “Unfortunately, our society, our culture does not view life in that way, or the issue of abortion in that way.”

She concluded optimistically: “This is an issue where we have the ability to change hearts and minds. We just need to be more vocal about it. And win that messaging war because, unfortunately, we have lost it, particularly with my generation of young women and girls.”