Leavitt to Leave White House Press Office, Several Close Aides Considered

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to step down at month's end, several aides considered as successors

Karoline Leavitt announced she will resign as White House press secretary at the end of the month, leaving a key communications role vacant in President Donald Trump's administration, White House sources said. The decision was confirmed by the president, who called Leavitt one of his "most trusted aides," and officials indicated no successor has yet been named.

Leavitt has worked closely with Trump for years and her departure opens a role that combines daily briefing-room duties with coordinating media strategy across the administration. When she was on leave earlier this year, senior figures including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided briefings instead of an acting press secretary from her office.

The job requires managing press relations, coordinating with other White House offices and advising the president directly, responsibilities sources said will be scrutinized by Trump given Leavitt's trusted status.

Potential candidates under consideration

• Alina Habba — Formerly Trump's personal lawyer and briefly installed in a role after a court rejected her US attorney nomination for New Jersey; served as the president's counsellor and represented Trump in his 2024 New York trial.
• Katie Miller — Conservative media personality and former communications official for Mike Pence; married to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and host of a podcast aimed at conservative women.
• Anna Kelly — Current White House deputy press secretary who has represented the administration in media and previously served as Republican National Committee national press secretary.
• Sage Steele — Former television anchor and sportscaster who campaigned for Trump in 2024 and remains a prominent conservative media figure.
• Steven Cheung — White House communications director and long-time Trump adviser known for a combative media approach; posted public congratulations to Leavitt following her resignation.
• Tricia McLaughlin — Former Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs with prior roles across Treasury and State Department and experience as a political communications director.
• Scott Jennings — Political commentator and senior contributor on CNN who has defended the administration publicly and worked on multiple presidential campaigns.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

Leavitt's resignation creates an immediate vacancy in a role that blends daily press duties with broader White House communications coordination. During her absence earlier this year, senior officials filled briefing responsibilities, indicating the administration may rely on rotating senior figures while a permanent choice is considered. Potential successors include long-time Trump advisers, current White House communicators and prominent conservative media figures, all of whom appear in reporting as possible options.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Karoline Leavitt will leave the White House press secretary post at the end of the month, the president said.
• No successor has been officially named; senior officials previously filled briefings when Leavitt was on leave.
• Reported potential candidates include Alina Habba, Katie Miller, Anna Kelly, Sage Steele, Steven Cheung, Tricia McLaughlin and Scott Jennings.