White House seeks new press secretary as Karoline Leavitt announces departure

Karoline Leavitt said she will step down as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children, creating a vacancy for one of the administration’s most visible roles. The president has not indicated a successor, but a range of names are being discussed in media reports and betting markets.

Among the candidates mentioned are Alina Habba, a former personal attorney for the president who briefly served as U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey before resigning after a court ruled her appointment unlawful. Conservative commentator Scott Jennings, who hosts a radio show and authored a book praising the president, is also cited.

Anna Kelly, currently the principal deputy press secretary, has appeared regularly on Fox News and could be promoted from within the press office. Former Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller, who recently launched a podcast featuring Trump officials, is another possibility.

Matthew Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for Breitbart, has been described by a New York Post report as a “favorite among well-connected Trump allies.” Long-time communications aide Steven Cheung, who serves as communications director in the second term, could move to the front-facing role.

Former deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich, who left the White House last September, and Roma Daravi, now vice president of public relations at the Kennedy Center, are also listed. Jason Miller, a veteran campaign spokesperson who returned to the White House this summer to assist with messaging ahead of the November midterms, is another name under consideration.

Kari Lake, a former television news anchor who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and U.S. Senate, has been mentioned in the broader pool of potential candidates.

The speculation reflects the president’s historical preference for spokespersons who are telegenic and authoritative, traits he has emphasized in past staffing decisions.