Karoline Leavitt is out as White House press secretary by the end of this month.
Donald Trump dropped the bombshell on Truth Social Wednesday, revealing that his top spokesperson is stepping away to focus on her growing family after welcoming another baby earlier this year. Trump called it a choice he completely understands, and confirmed she would stick around in an outside advisory capacity. But the real fireworks? The scramble to fill her spot, which according to reports kicked off almost immediately.
As of Thursday morning, no official successor had been named. But behind the scenes, the jockeying is already intense. Sources from both within and outside the administration pointed to two clear frontrunners: Alina Habba and Breitbart's D.C. bureau chief Matthew Boyle.
Habba became a household name defending Trump through his many courtroom showdowns, popping up on TV constantly to go to bat for him. She eventually moved into the West Wing as a presidential counselor before getting tapped as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor. Her potential appointment would echo Trump's playbook from term one, when he installed attorney Kayleigh McEnany behind the podium. McEnany later landed at Fox News and became a conservative media star thanks to her combative press briefings.
Boyle, on the other hand, has deep roots in right wing media and a reputation for hard charging journalism that Trump's inner circle apparently loves. His allies are reportedly pushing hard for him to get the nod.
But wait, there is more. The rumor mill is churning out names like a factory. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, known for his pit bull style defense of the president, is in the mix. So is Taylor Rogers, a senior comms official who cut her teeth on Trump's campaign. Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston and longtime aide Margo Martin, considered one of Trump's closest communications confidants, are also generating buzz.
Then there are the wild cards. Katie Miller, married to policy heavyweight Stephen Miller, brings serious GOP communications credentials from both Trump terms. And Kari Lake, the former Arizona TV anchor who built a tight political bond with Trump, has decades of broadcast experience plus a recent stint at the U.S. Agency for Global Media under her belt.
Betting markets apparently wasted zero time either, with Habba and another name, Anna Kelly, shooting to the top of the odds.
Meanwhile, Leavitt penned an emotional goodbye on X, calling her roughly 18 months at the podium the honor of a lifetime. She gushed about flying around the globe, meeting world leaders, and spending countless hours in the Oval Office. She also took one last parting shot at the media, saying she relished holding liberal journalists accountable and making sure Americans heard about Trump's accomplishments.
Leavitt also earned a compliment from her boss, who called her an influential voice within the Republican Party as the GOP gears up for its fight to maintain control of Congress.
So who gets the most famous podium in American politics? Stay tuned, because this casting call is just getting started.
Like what you see? Then sign up for our Free Newsletter
