Who could replace White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt?

August 13, 2026

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is departing at the end of the month, creating a significant vacancy in President Trump's administration. The position involves more than just conducting press briefings—it requires managing media relationships, coordinating across White House departments, and advising the president while meeting Trump's exacting standards. No successor has been announced yet, and the White House previously used high-ranking officials like Vice President JD Vance to fill in during Leavitt's earlier absence.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump and his administration
Karoline Leavitt (departing press secretary)
White House press office staff who handle daily inquiries and requests
Members of the press corps who interact with the press secretary
Potential replacement candidates: Alina Habba, Katie Miller, Anna Kelly, Sage Steele, Steven Cheung, and Tricia McLaughlin
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (who previously gave briefings)

What action is being taken

Karoline Leavitt is stepping down at the end of the month
The White House is considering potential candidates to replace her
Anna Kelly is currently serving as White House deputy press secretary under Leavitt
Steven Cheung is currently serving as the White House's communications director

Why it matters

The press secretary role is critical because it extends far beyond podium appearances to include managing complex and often contentious relationships with the media, coordinating communications across different White House offices, providing strategic media counsel to the president, and overseeing an office that handles substantial daily demands. The position is particularly challenging in Trump's administration because the replacement must meet the president's high expectations while being aware that "he's watching every day," making it difficult to find someone who can match Leavitt's status as one of Trump's "most trusted aides."

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC