The news of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's departure is still settling in, but the political world is already buzzing with speculation over who will take her place. Leavitt, who announced she is stepping down to focus on her family, leaves behind a legacy as one of the most forceful defenders of President Trump's agenda—and a tough act to follow.
Leavitt's tenure lasted one year and seven months, a notable run given that Trump cycled through four press secretaries during his first term. Her exit, confirmed by the president, has set off a flurry of name-dropping and betting activity, with several figures emerging as front-runners for the high-profile role.
The Leading Contenders
At the top of the list is Anna Kelly, the current principal deputy press secretary. Kelly, 29, has been a regular presence on cable news, defending administration policies with a style that mirrors Leavitt's. Her experience at the Republican National Committee and her familiarity with the daily operations of the White House press office make her the natural choice, and she currently leads on the betting site Kalshi.
Another name in the mix is Katie Miller, wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Miller, 34, has a solid communications background, having served as deputy press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and as press secretary for former Vice President Mike Pence. She also hosts a podcast where she has interviewed top officials, and she remains an active voice on social media championing Trump's policies. However, her four young children might make the demanding role a tough sell, especially since Leavitt cited family reasons for her departure.
Alina Habba, the former acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, is also being floated. Habba gained national attention as one of Trump's defense lawyers in high-profile cases, including the civil fraud trial and the E. Jean Carroll defamation suit. She later served briefly as White House counsel before her appointment as U.S. attorney was ruled unlawful. In a social media post praising Leavitt, Habba warned that "whoever gets that podium next better come ready for a fight," signaling her interest in the role. She currently sits third on Kalshi.
Other Names in the Mix
Tricia McLaughlin, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, is another contender. McLaughlin, 32, was the top spokesperson at DHS during the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement push. She has also worked at the State and Treasury Departments and was a senior adviser to Vivek Ramaswamy's 2024 presidential campaign. Trump has praised her, saying she "really knows her 'STUFF.'"
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings, a familiar face on CNN, is also being considered. Jennings, 48, a former aide to George W. Bush and adviser to Mitch McConnell, said on air he "doesn't know" if he'd take the job, but he is currently second on Kalshi. His name was also floated before Leavitt was chosen in 2024.
Longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller is another possibility. Miller, 51, served as Trump's spokesman during the 2016 campaign and was a senior adviser in 2024. He has recently returned to the White House to help with messaging ahead of the midterms.
Finally, Roma Daravi, who served as deputy communications director during Trump's first term and is now vice president of public relations at the Kennedy Center, could be a dark horse candidate.
Whoever takes the podium will face the daunting task of defending the administration amid ongoing controversies, including debates over military base deportation arrests and the president's push for emergency powers over voting. The choice will signal how Trump wants to engage the press in the coming months.
