Karoline Leavitt, now serving as the White House press secretary, is a key figure in promoting President Donald Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. Her political trajectory, from a failed congressional run to her current high-profile role, reflects a consistent alignment with far-right positions, particularly when it comes to transgender rights, queer-inclusive education, and gender-affirming care.
Leavitt’s 2022 bid for Congress in New Hampshire’s First District was marked by campaign finance controversies and enthusiastic backing from prominent anti-LGBTQ+ figures such as Lauren Boebert and Ted Cruz. Although she lost to Chris Pappas, the state’s first openly gay congressman, her national profile only grew.
Background and Rise
Born on 24 August 1997 in Atkinson, New Hampshire, Leavitt was raised in a Catholic household. She attended Saint Anselm College, graduating in 2019 with a degree in politics and communication. While still in university, she emerged as a vocal Trump supporter and later interned for Fox News.
Her early career included roles under Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and in the Trump White House as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary. Following Trump’s 2024 victory, Leavitt was appointed White House press secretary in January 2025.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Policy Positions
Same-Sex Marriage
Leavitt avoids directly opposing same-sex marriage but has never publicly supported it either. She described it as a “settled issue” not targeted for rollback but offered no endorsement of the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex and interracial unions.
Transgender Athletes in Sport
Leavitt is outspoken in her opposition to transgender women competing in women’s sports. At White House briefings, she repeatedly misgenders trans women and insists on a strict biological definition of sex:
“You can’t say you are the party of women and then support men in women’s sports,” she said.
She has also backed Trump’s executive order banning transgender athletes and supported threats to withhold federal funding from schools that refuse to comply.
Trans Bathroom Access
Leavitt strongly supports Trump’s policy requiring people to use restrooms and facilities matching their sex assigned at birth, not gender identity. She claims this move restores “common sense” and has dismissed trans women as “men pretending to be women”.
This order removes gender identity protections from civil rights law, effectively legalising discrimination in schools, government spaces, and businesses.
LGBTQ+ Discussions in Schools
A vocal backer of Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, Leavitt praised Governor Ron DeSantis for limiting discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in public education:
“Ron DeSantis is doing what’s right… He is ensuring that our young children are not being taught this crap.”
Leavitt opposes any policy that shields LGBTQ+ students from being outed to their parents, citing “parental rights” – a stance LGBTQ+ advocacy groups say endangers queer youth.
Discrimination Protections
She opposes broad anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and supports Trump’s rollback of gender identity from federal anti-bias regulations. Leavitt has not backed legislation like the Equality Act, instead pushing for religious exemptions to allow discrimination under the guise of faith-based beliefs.
Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
Leavitt has endorsed a nationwide ban on gender-affirming care for anyone under 19, calling such treatments “mutilation” and “child abuse” – rhetoric widely condemned by medical professionals.
Despite opposition from leading health bodies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, she continues to celebrate healthcare restrictions that have caused hospitals to suspend care for trans youth.
Political and Career Highlights
- BA in Politics & Communication (Saint Anselm College, 2019)
- Former intern at Fox News
- Assistant Press Secretary under Kayleigh McEnany
- Communications Director for Rep. Elise Stefanik
- 2022 Congressional candidate (NH-01)
- National Press Secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign
- Current White House Press Secretary (2025–)
Impact and Legacy
Leavitt’s public messaging reinforces and legitimises Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, particularly targeting transgender Americans. While she avoids direct attacks on marriage equality, her stances on education, sport, healthcare, and discrimination reflect a broader effort to restrict LGBTQ+ rights under the guise of “protecting children” or “parental rights.”
As Trump’s official spokesperson, Leavitt plays a key role in normalising and amplifying conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ views, contributing to an increasingly hostile political climate for queer and trans people in the United States.
