- Karoline Leavitt is set to leave the White House press secretary role.
- White House communications director Steven Cheung praised Leavitt, saying, "She is one of one. Nobody will ever be able to do what she did."
- Potential replacements are being floated, including Scott Jennings, Alina Habba, Anna Kelly, and others.
- Prediction markets like Kalshi have begun ranking top contenders, with Habba, Kelly, Miller, and Daravi at the top of its list Thursday morning.
- One GOP operative argued the job should be filled soon, saying, "It’s another deployable asset for the midterms."
- Other potential contenders include Alina Habba, a former lawyer and political adviser to Trump; Anna Kelly, Leavitt’s number two; Tricia McLaughlin, former DHS spokesperson; Elizabeth Pipko, a former model and RNC spokesperson; Monica Crowley, U.S. chief of protocol; Roma Daravi, communications director for the Kennedy Center; Lara Trump, former RNC chair; and others.
Karoline Leavitt will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of the month, a decision that has sparked intense speculation about her successor.1
White House communications director Steven Cheung lauded Leavitt, stating, “She is one of one. Nobody will ever be able to do what she did.” As the midterm elections approach, the urgency to fill her position has increased, with some suggesting the role may remain vacant until after the elections.2
Potential candidates include Scott Jennings, a former Bush White House aide, and Anna Kelly, Leavitt’s deputy, who is already authorized to speak on behalf of the administration.3678910111213
Other names in the mix are Alina Habba, a former Trump lawyer, and Tricia McLaughlin, known for her defense of Trump’s policies.
Prediction markets have also begun to weigh in, ranking Habba, Kelly, and others as top contenders.
The White House remains tight-lipped about the timeline for naming a successor, with some insiders suggesting that the president may wait until after the midterms to make a decision.
“It’s another deployable asset for the midterms,” said a GOP operative, emphasizing the importance of the role in the upcoming elections.
As speculation continues, the political landscape remains dynamic, with Leavitt’s departure marking a significant shift in the White House press operation.
“Potential successors include Scott Jennings, who praised Leavitt as 'the greatest press secretary in the last 30 years,' and Alina Habba, a former Trump lawyer. Prediction market Kalshi ranks Habba, Kelly, Miller, and Daravi as top contenders, while some suggest the role may stay unfilled until after the midterms.”
WBAL-TV
