Who Will Replace Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary?

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:11:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The White House faces a search for a new press secretary after Leavitt’s departure, with several seasoned political figures and former staffers in the running.

Karoline Leavitt’s resignation opens a riddle for President Trump’s team. No successor has been announced yet, and insiders say no decision has been made. Leavitt was a trusted aide and has been sent to interview four different high‑rank officials when she was on leave. The role demands strong media skills, close coordination with the rest of the administration, and unwavering loyalty to the president. Analysts point to former Trump lawyer Alina Habba, former press secretary Katie Miller, deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, former TV anchor Sage Steele, communications director Steven Cheung, former DHS staffer Tricia McLaughlin, and political commentator Scott Jennings as the top contenders.

President Trump’s administration says it has not yet decided who will replace press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt, who has been a trusted aide to the president for years, announced she would step down at the end of the month. While the White House has not named a replacement, sources within the administration say a decision has not yet been taken.

During the brief period when Leavitt was on leave, the president’s communications team was handled by top officials, including Vice‑President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who spoke to the press instead of a temporary substitute. The White House may return to a similar arrangement temporarily.

The role of press secretary is more than just a podium. It involves managing tense relationships with the media, coordinating with senior White House personnel, and providing daily strategic advice to the president. The office also processes a high volume of press inquiries each day.

If a person is chosen for the position, meeting the president’s standards will be a top priority. One insider told the BBC, “That person will be very aware that they’re watching every day.”

Possible candidates

Alina Habba – Former personal lawyer to Donald Trump. Habba served as the president’s counsellor early in his current term and was described by Trump as “unwavering in her loyalty.” Habba also handled Trump’s hush‑money case in 2024 and has been a key legal ally of the administration.

Katie Miller – A media entrepreneur and former press secretary to Vice‑President Mike Pence. Miller is married to Stephen Miller, the White House’s chief immigration strategist, and has held communications roles in both the GOP and the Trump campaign.

Anna Kelly – Current deputy press secretary in the White House office. The former beauty queen has experience as press secretary for the Republican National Committee and for Representative Derrick Van Orden.

Sage Steele – A long‑time television anchor who campaigned for Trump during the 2024 election and remains a vocal supporter in the media.

Steven Cheung – Communications director for the White House and a long‑time adviser to Trump. Cheung is known for his combative approach with the media and has served as the chief rapid‑response strategist for the president.

Tricia McLaughlin – Former assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. McLaughlin defended Trump’s immigration policies in the media and has held multiple senior communications posts in past presidential administrations.

Scott Jennings – A political commentator who has become a staunch defender of the Trump administration. Jennings works for CNN and has a long history of working on presidential campaigns.

While the White House has yet to name an official successor, the pool of potential candidates reflects the president’s reliance on experienced and loyal allies to keep the administration’s messaging tight.