There are only a few days left in Karoline Leavitt's tenure at White House press secretary, and speculation is running amok over who President Trump might pick to replace her.
As RedState previously reported, Leavitt has decided to chuck the briefing podium in order to spend more time with her young children. The president was supportive of that decision, saying, "Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections."
Names being bandied about to replace Leavitt include Alina Habba, Matthew Boyle, Taylor Budowich, Steven Cheung, Katie Miller, Anna Kelly, Monica Crowley, Jason Miller, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Spencer Pratt, Scott Jennings, and Kari Lake.
SEE ALSO: Biden’s Former Press Secretary Calls Karoline Leavitt a Liar—Then Gets Hit With a Brutal Fact Check
Eagle-eyed observers noted that Habba, Trump's former personal attorney and current senior advisor to the attorney general for U.S. Attorneys at the Justice Department, was seated near the president at a dinner this past weekend.
President Trump had a pretty chill weekend at his Bedminster, NJ club, dancing to the YMCA with Ivanka last night
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 16, 2026
Alina Habba was seated right behind him, amid rumors Habba could be tapped as the new press secretary 👀 pic.twitter.com/OopLbCVGnO
A report out Monday, however, suggests that Trump may be considering having a rotating cast of Cabinet members handle the briefings for now, similar to how they were handled while Leavitt was on maternity leave earlier this summer.
When Leavitt took a brief maternity leave earlier this year, other Trump officials — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance and Medicare and Medicaid chief Dr. Mehmet Oz — filled in, to varying levels of success.
Shelby Talcott, White House correspondent for the left-leaning Semafor, confirmed on X that the president isn't in a rush to replace Leavitt and is happy to go back to the rotating schedule of administration officials for now.
Trump remains “truly undecided” about a successor to Karoline Leavitt, a White House official tells @semafor.
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) August 17, 2026
As of now, the WH is considering returning to a plan enacted during Leavitt’s maternity leave, with a rotation of Cabinet official speaking at the podium until a… pic.twitter.com/6QR2KsUwPX
The White House is considering returning to a briefing plan enacted earlier this year once press secretary Karoline Leavitt formally leaves her role at the end of August, with a rotation of Cabinet officials speaking at the podium. It’s a temporary practice that satisfied Trump during the period that Leavitt was off for maternity leave, and a White House official told Semafor that it’s once again under discussion until a new permanent press secretary is named. It’s unclear how long that will take. Leavitt has long been one of Trump’s closest confidants, and administration officials openly admit that she will not be easy for Trump to replace.
Officials and Trump allies are already buzzing about potential successors, and Trump has discussed the topic with top aides. The president “is not in a rush to name a replacement and [is] truly undecided,” the official added.
This may cause vapors amongst the press corps, who likely prefer having one target behind the podium, but President Trump has always been happy to upset the status quo in D.C.
And, honestly, the man who created The Apprentice could have a ton of fun with the process.
Why rush to name Karoline Leavitt's successor when there are so many willing contenders ready to compete? Give each of them a turn behind the podium. Let them face down the White House press corps, handle the inevitable gotcha questions, and see who can keep his or her cool when things get heated.
Consider it The Apprentice: West Wing Edition. Let the auditions begin.
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