The sudden announcement that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down at the end of August has ignited a flurry of speculation regarding who President Donald Trump will choose to fill the high-profile vacancy. Leavitt, who made history as the youngest press secretary in the White House at age 28, stated that her departure is motivated by a desire to spend more time with her two young children. As the administration prepares to name a new chief spokesperson, the search process has drawn significant attention to the criteria Trump typically uses for his "central casting" approach to staffing.
The position of press secretary is a demanding role that requires a telegenic presence and the ability to speak with authority while fielding questions from the briefing room lectern. Historically, Trump has favored women for this role, with five of the six press secretaries during his two terms being women. As the administration looks for a successor who can effectively set the tone for the president's agenda and manage responses to political opponents, several names have surfaced in early discussions and betting markets.
Alina Habba, a former personal attorney for Trump who served as his defense counsel during legal proceedings in New York, is among those frequently mentioned. Following the 2024 election, Trump appointed Habba as a counselor to the president and nominated her as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. However, she resigned from that post in December after a federal appeals court determined her appointment was unlawful because she had not been confirmed by Congress.
Conservative political commentator Scott Jennings, a senior political contributor for CNN known for his spirited on-air debates, is also receiving attention. His profile has been bolstered by his radio show and his book, "A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization." Similarly, Anna Kelly, the current principal deputy press secretary, is viewed as a strong contender. At 29, Kelly is close in age to Leavitt and has been increasingly featured in media appearances, particularly discussing foreign policy and the U.S. war with Iran on Fox News.
Katie Miller, a former press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence and the wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, is another name in the mix. She previously worked as a top aide for the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, before launching a podcast where she interviews prominent Trump administration officials. Matthew Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for Breitbart, is also considered a potential candidate, with reports suggesting he is a favorite among Trump allies who value his established presence in the conservative media ecosystem.
Internal candidates are also being evaluated. Steven Cheung, the current White House communications director, is known for his tough, no-nonsense approach, though he has primarily operated behind the scenes. Other experienced Trump advisers include Taylor Budowich, who previously oversaw communications and Cabinet affairs before moving to the private sector, and Jason Miller, a longtime aide who joined the White House this summer to assist with messaging for the midterm elections.
Roma Daravi, a former deputy communications director who now serves as vice president of public relations at the Kennedy Center, has also seen her name rise in betting markets, currently holding the third spot on the platform Kalshi. Finally, while Kari Lake, the former television anchor and conservative political figure, is a known favorite of the president, her nomination as U.S. ambassador to Jamaica—which is currently awaiting Senate confirmation—would likely prevent her from taking on the press secretary role.
Trump has not indicated who he may pick, but here are 10 names receiving early speculation – and attention in betting markets – as potential Leavitt replacements.
In his former role, Budowich oversaw White House communications and Cabinet affairs. He previously worked as Trump's 2020 campaign spokesman and helped manage the pro-Trump Super PAC known as Make America Great Again Inc.
