Here’s who Trump is looking at.
President Donald Trump will soon have an important decision to make as speculation grows over who could become the next White House press secretary.
Karoline Leavitt announced that she will step down at the end of August after a high-profile run as Trump’s chief White House spokeswoman. The 28-year-old, who recently returned from maternity leave, said she wants to spend more time with her two young children.
Trump has praised Leavitt’s performance and said she will remain involved as an outside adviser.
But her departure leaves Washington with a major question:
Who will Trump choose to replace her?
No successor has been officially announced, but several familiar conservative figures and Trump administration insiders are already being discussed as potential candidates.
Among the names attracting attention are Scott Jennings, Anna Kelly, Alina Habba, Katie Miller, Stephen Cheung and Stephen Miller.
Trump could also take a completely different approach by temporarily using Cabinet officials and other senior administration figures to handle White House briefings.
Here’s a closer look at the potential contenders.
Trump Could Change The White House Briefing Strategy
Trump may not necessarily rush to appoint a permanent replacement.
The White House already experimented with a different approach while Leavitt was on maternity leave, allowing prominent administration officials to take a more direct role in communicating with reporters.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were among the administration officials who appeared before the press during Leavitt’s absence.
That could provide Trump with another option: rotating senior officials through the briefing room rather than immediately relying on one permanent spokesperson.
Such a strategy could allow Cabinet officials to directly explain policies within their areas of expertise while giving Trump additional time to choose Leavitt’s successor.
Former Trump White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer believes whoever ultimately gets the job will almost certainly need something particularly important — an established relationship with Trump.
Spicer told Fox News Digital that Trump understands the importance of the press secretary’s role in communicating his positions on major policies, personnel decisions and political controversies.
Spicer has ruled himself out of consideration.
That leaves several other names to watch.
Scott Jennings Could Be A Major Contender
One of the most recognizable possibilities is conservative commentator Scott Jennings.
Jennings has developed a national following through his appearances on CNN, where he regularly defends conservative positions while debating liberal commentators.
He previously served as an aide in the George W. Bush administration and was reportedly considered for the White House press secretary position after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.
Trump ultimately selected Leavitt.
But Jennings has remained on the president’s radar.
Trump has publicly praised Jennings, promoted his book and described him as a “patriot.”
Jennings’ television experience could also be an advantage.
The White House press secretary must routinely face aggressive questioning, respond quickly to breaking news and communicate complicated administration policies in a way ordinary Americans can understand.
Jennings has spent years doing exactly that in one of television’s most politically contentious environments.
Whether he would be willing to leave his media career for the White House remains another question.
Anna Kelly Offers Trump An Inside Option
Trump could also promote from within his existing communications team.
Anna Kelly, the White House principal deputy press secretary, may be one of the most logical possibilities.
Kelly became more visible while Leavitt was on maternity leave, representing the administration during television interviews and other media appearances.
She already understands the Trump White House communications operation and would bring continuity to the job.
Unlike an outsider who would need time to adjust, Kelly is already familiar with the administration’s policies, personalities and daily communications strategy.
However, she has not yet become a regular presence behind the White House briefing room podium.
Moving her into the top position would represent a significant promotion — but one that could allow Trump to keep the existing communications operation largely intact.
Alina Habba Is Back In The Conversation
Alina Habba is another familiar name being discussed.
Habba has been one of Trump’s most visible defenders for years.
She previously served as Trump’s personal attorney and became a prominent surrogate during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.
Her name was floated for White House press secretary following Trump’s election victory, but Habba said at the time that she believed she could better serve the administration elsewhere.
She subsequently served as counselor to the president before becoming interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey.
Following a legal battle surrounding that appointment, Habba resigned from the position and became senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. Attorneys.
Her extensive television experience could make her an appealing option for Trump.
Habba has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to defend the president in confrontational interviews and high-pressure media appearances — skills that would immediately be tested inside the White House briefing room.
Could Katie Miller Get The Job?
Another potential candidate is Katie Miller.
Miller has extensive experience in Republican communications and previously served as press secretary and communications director for former Vice President Mike Pence.
She is also married to Trump senior adviser Stephen Miller.
That connection has naturally fueled speculation that she could emerge as a candidate.
Stephen Miller was asked Wednesday about the possibility of his wife becoming the next press secretary.
Instead of giving a direct response, he reportedly smiled at the question.
That certainly didn’t end the speculation.
Katie Miller’s previous experience dealing with the national press could make her another candidate worth watching.
Stephen Miller Has Also Been Mentioned
Then there’s Stephen Miller himself.
Miller is already one of the most powerful and recognizable advisers in Trump’s White House.
He has played an influential role in developing and defending the administration’s immigration and domestic policy agenda and frequently appears on television to make the case for Trump’s policies.
Miller is also known for his willingness to aggressively challenge administration critics.
Those qualities could make him an effective spokesman.
But there is an obvious complication.
Moving Miller into the press secretary position could mean taking one of Trump’s most influential policy advisers away from his current responsibilities.
Trump may decide Miller is simply more valuable where he is.
Stephen Cheung Could Move Into The Spotlight
White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung could represent another internal option.
Cheung has worked closely with Trump for years and has earned a reputation as one of the president’s most forceful defenders.
Much of his work takes place behind the scenes, but his influence over Trump’s communications operation is substantial.
Elevating Cheung to press secretary would give Trump someone who already understands the president’s communication style and political instincts.
It would also follow a familiar pattern.
Trump has frequently placed significant trust in aides who have demonstrated loyalty and an ability to effectively defend his agenda.
Several Other Names Are Being Discussed
The list of possible candidates extends beyond the most prominent contenders.
Breitbart Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich have also been mentioned in speculation surrounding the position.
Other names could emerge as Trump gets closer to making his decision.
And there is always the possibility the president chooses someone Washington insiders aren’t expecting.
Leavitt Leaves Big Shoes To Fill
Whoever takes over will inherit one of the most demanding communications jobs in American politics.
Leavitt became one of the most recognizable members of Trump’s second administration and frequently generated headlines through her exchanges with White House reporters.
She also served during a period when the Trump White House continued changing the traditional relationship between the administration and the national media.
Her roughly 19-month tenure makes her one of Trump’s longest-serving press secretaries.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders held the position for approximately 23 months during Trump’s first administration before later becoming governor of Arkansas.
Trump’s other first-term press secretaries demonstrated dramatically different approaches to the job.
Stephanie Grisham served for approximately nine months without conducting a traditional White House press briefing.
Kayleigh McEnany later took over the position and became one of the administration’s most visible public defenders during Trump’s final months in office.
Leavitt followed a similarly aggressive approach after Trump returned to the White House, frequently challenging reporters while defending the administration’s agenda.
Trump’s Decision Comes At A Critical Time
The timing of Leavitt’s departure makes Trump’s decision particularly important.
The 2026 midterm elections are approaching, meaning the White House will need an experienced communicator capable of defending the president’s record while responding to attacks from Democrats and intense scrutiny from the national media.
Immigration, the economy, foreign policy, federal spending and the midterm elections are likely to remain major issues dominating Washington.
Trump therefore isn’t simply choosing someone to answer reporters’ questions.
He’s choosing one of the most visible representatives of his administration.
Jennings would bring extensive television experience.
Kelly would provide continuity from inside the White House.
Habba has years of experience publicly defending Trump.
Katie Miller brings previous White House communications experience.
Cheung already plays a major role shaping Trump’s message.
And Stephen Miller remains one of the administration’s most effective and recognizable policy advocates.
Any one of them could bring a very different style to the White House briefing room.
For now, however, Trump is keeping Washington guessing.
And considering the president’s history of making unexpected personnel decisions, the eventual choice could still be someone few political observers currently have at the top of their list.