Former acting US attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba has denied reports that she is a front-runner to become the next White House press secretary, calling the speculation "fake news." Habba, who served as a defense lawyer for former President Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, dismissed the claims on the social media platform X on Wednesday.
"Flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I’m not in the running for any job," Habba wrote. "However, if I’m getting a new one, I’d love for one of these anonymous sources to let me know first."
Prediction market platform Kalshi had listed Habba as the betting favorite to succeed Karoline Leavitt, with a 35% chance of securing the role. Following Habba's statement, her odds dropped to 24%, and conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings surpassed her with a 30% chance.
White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly is also mentioned as a potential candidate, with Kalshi users giving her a 13% chance.
Karoline Leavitt is scheduled to depart her White House role at the end of August to focus on family time, according to an announcement by former President Trump last week. Habba previously held a position in the West Wing last year as a counselor to the president before being appointed as the top prosecutor in New Jersey.