WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (DC Times Online) — President Donald Trump has not announced a successor to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is expected to leave the post at the end of August 2026.
The open position has prompted speculation in Washington about who could take over the White House’s main public-facing communications role. Names mentioned in reports include Alina Habba, Matthew Boyle, Steven Cheung, Katie Miller, Scott Jennings and Anna Kelly. Stephen Miller and several other figures have also been circulated as possibilities.
None of the people named has been confirmed as a nominee, and the White House has not described a formal selection process.
Why is Leavitt leaving?
Trump announced on Aug. 12 that Leavitt would leave the job at the end of August. Leavitt’s stated reason, as reported in connection with the announcement, is that she wants to spend more time with her family and young children.
The change will affect the White House communications operation in Washington, where the press secretary speaks for the administration in briefings and responds to questions from reporters. The press secretary also helps explain the president’s policies and positions to the public.
Who is being discussed?
Alina Habba and Matthew Boyle have been described in reports citing unnamed administration sources as early or leading contenders. Boyle is identified as the Washington bureau chief of Breitbart.
Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, is another name being discussed. Taylor Budowich, a former White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, has also been mentioned, although the reports say he left the administration for the private sector last September.
Katie Miller and Anna Kelly are among the other possibilities. Reports describe Miller as a former press secretary to Vice President Mike Pence and a former Department of Government Efficiency aide. Kelly is the White House principal deputy press secretary and has been identified in reports as a former national press secretary for the Republican National Committee.
Scott Jennings has been described in separate reporting as a current frontrunner. Other names circulated in reports include Monica Crowley, Kari Lake, Jason Miller, Taylor Rogers, Liz Huston, Margo Martin, Roma Daravi, Lara Trump, Natalie Harp and Sage Steele.
These descriptions reflect speculation, not an official list from the White House.
Why do reports disagree about the leading candidate?
The reports differ because the White House has not publicly identified a choice and the names have come largely from unnamed sources or outside assessments.
One account emphasized Habba and Boyle. Another described Jennings as a frontrunner. A prediction market operated by Kalshi placed Roma Daravi at a 24% chance of being selected, followed by Lara Trump and Natalie Harp at 23% and Habba and Kelly at 22%.
Those market figures are not part of the government’s hiring or appointment process. They show how traders assessed the possibilities at that time, not what Trump had decided.
What remains unknown?
The available reporting does not establish whether Trump has interviewed, contacted or offered the position to any of the people being discussed. It also does not show that any candidate has been formally nominated.
The timing is the clearest constraint: Leavitt is expected to depart at the end of August, leaving only a short period for the White House to select and prepare a replacement. Until Trump announces a decision, the succession remains unsettled.
