President Trump is confronting what aides and outside observers describe as a uniquely difficult search for a new White House press secretary after Karoline Leavitt announced she would step down at the end of the month. Leavitt, who has been a central figure in Trump's inner circle and a primary messenger for the administration, leaves a vacancy that many say will be hard to fill.
Leavitt's departure, announced by the president on Wednesday, comes as the White House gears up for the midterm elections. Republicans and even some Democrats acknowledge that her exit is a significant blow. "It's a definite loss. She's been there since Day 1 of the campaign," a former White House official said. "She's been the messenger since then."
A Democratic operative offered grudging respect, saying "game respect game" when discussing Leavitt's performance. "She was always on message, and she was always aggressively defending her boss," the operative said. "That is what you want in a press secretary."
Mike Dubke, who served as White House communications director in 2017, said he would not be surprised if the role remains vacant for some time. "The president, of course, is his own best press secretary," Dubke said. "Unlike past departures, there is seemingly no one waiting in the wings to fill Leavitt's shoes." A second former White House official echoed that sentiment, noting there appears to be no rush to name a successor.
Several names have already surfaced as potential replacements. Deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly, who previously served as national press secretary at the Republican National Committee during the 2024 campaign, brings experience from the campaign trail, Capitol Hill, and the White House. Tricia McLaughlin, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, is also mentioned; she shares Leavitt's combative style with the press and has reportedly impressed Trump with her television appearances. Roma Daravi, vice president of communications at the Kennedy Center, has been in Trump's orbit for a decade, holding roles in his first administration and working on his advance team in 2016. Other contenders include Katie Miller, Alina Habba, and Jason Miller, all known for their vocal defense of Trump.
Sean Spicer, who served as press secretary during Trump's first term, praised Leavitt's tenure. "The press secretary role — especially under someone as active as President Trump — is one of the most demanding and intense 24/7 jobs. Stepping back to prioritize family after almost two years is well earned," he said.
Leavitt's path to the podium began in the first Trump administration as an assistant press secretary. She later became communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) after Trump left office in 2021. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire but lost to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. She then served as a spokesperson for Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., during the 2024 election before joining the campaign. At 27, Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, and she was also the first woman to hold the job while pregnant.
Her close relationship with the president was considered a major asset. "The cool thing about Karoline is if I had a question, I could go to Karoline and ask her. Not all press secretaries are that accessible," said the first former official. "If it was coming from her, it was most likely coming from the president," added the second.
Despite her effectiveness, Leavitt and the communications shop faced scrutiny. Critics decried her combative spin style and the exclusion of outlets like The Associated Press from certain events, while newer right-leaning media were given access. The White House Correspondents' Association clashed with the press office over attempts to manage the press pool. "My issue was always less with the rules, more with the motives," the Democratic operative said. "Are you punishing the AP and singling them out because they wrote something you didn't like? That's wrong."
The first former White House official predicted Leavitt's departure is "detrimental" to the White House ahead of the midterms. But it won't be the first time she's been absent; during her maternity leave earlier this year, a rotating cast of aides filled in at the podium. The search for a permanent replacement is now underway, with no clear frontrunner yet.
