White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday that she will depart her role at the end of August, prompting speculation about who will succeed her at the briefing room lectern. Leavitt, 28, had been seen as an effective spokesperson for President Trump, championing his policies with a clear and consistent delivery.
Leavitt cited a desire to spend more time with her two young children as the reason for her departure. President Trump described Leavitt as one of his "most trusted aides" and "one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office."
Sources close to the administration indicate that Alina Habba, a former acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, is among the early front-runners for the position. Habba gained prominence as one of Trump's defense lawyers and briefly served as a counselor to the president. Her background as an attorney and her experience as a Trump spokesperson have drawn comparisons to Kayleigh McEnany, another attorney who served as press secretary during Trump's first term.
Another individual reportedly being considered is Matthew Boyle, the Washington Bureau Chief for Breitbart. Allies of Trump recognize Boyle's persistent presence in conservative media. Trump has frequently interviewed Boyle, and Boyle's experience in investigative work and covering the Trump movement suggests a strong understanding of public relations challenges.
Other potential candidates mentioned include Taylor Budowich, former White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, and Steven Cheung, the current White House communications director. Budowich was involved in the administration's early messaging strategies and was instrumental in changes to the White House press pool. Cheung already handles some press communication duties and meets with journalists but has not taken on the role of briefing reporters on camera.
Also under consideration are Katie Miller, a former aide to Elon Musk and wife of deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, and principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly. Monica Crowley, U.S. chief of protocol and a former journalist, is another possibility. Katie Miller previously served as press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence.
While many names are being discussed, Trump's decision not to immediately name a successor leaves open the possibility of senior officials providing temporary, sporadic briefings, a practice that has included Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as well as Trump himself.