President Donald Trump has yet to select a replacement for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, stirring curiosity about who will become the administration’s next public spokesperson. As Leavitt prepares to leave her position, she will be joining ‘Fox & Friends’ for her final interview, planning to spend more time with her two young children before joining MAGA Inc.
Choosing a new press secretary is crucial for Trump’s presidency as it presents an opportunity to shape his legacy during its concluding phase. The press secretary plays a vital role in communicating presidential policies and priorities to the public.
As the search continues, the White House will temporarily rely on various Trump officials to brief the press corps. This approach was utilized earlier when Leavitt took maternity leave. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initiated the initial news conference, succeeded by Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Fox News host Dana Perino explained the significance of the press secretary’s role, noting that as midterms conclude, focus increasingly shifts to the upcoming general election. Perino, a former White House press secretary under President George W. Bush, emphasized the importance of balancing governance with remaining political neutrality in campaigns.
Trump’s next press secretary is likely to be someone with an existing strong rapport with him, as noted by former press secretary Sean Spicer. Spicer highlighted the role’s importance in conveying the president’s stance on policies and personnel.
Potential candidates for the role have already surfaced. Alina Habba was initially considered a frontrunner. Having served as Trump’s personal attorney, Habba declared she is not currently aiming for the job, despite being ranked as a top candidate on speculative platforms.
Other prospective contenders include Scott Jennings, who holds political commentator status on CNN and worked under President George W. Bush. Jennings was previously considered for the press secretary role before Leavitt’s nomination. Trump has praised Jennings and publicly endorsed his book.
Among the possible internal candidates is Anna Kelly, Leavitt’s deputy, who has already filled media roles during Leavitt’s maternity leave. Additionally, the chatter includes Stephen Miller and Katie Miller, along with personalities like Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle and former deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich.
Leavitt leaves a legacy as the second-longest-serving press secretary under Trump, surpassing Stephanie Grisham, known for not holding a single briefing during her nine-month tenure. Her 19-month service ranks just behind Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ 23 months.
Fox News Digital has contacted the White House for further commentary.
Ashley J. DiMella reports on politics for Fox News Digital.