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The glamorous MAGA frontrunners Trump’s inner circle is whispering about who could replace Karoline Leavitt… including a VERY peculiar option
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping down, prompting speculation in Washington about who will replace her at the podium. Donald Trump announced her departure on social media, saying he had spoken to her about the decision, but he did not name a successor, suggesting no immediate replacement had been settled on. The news reportedly came as a surprise, though sources close to the White House said "change was in the air" in the preceding weeks.
Names being floated include longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller, who returned to the White House in July and could take charge of press operations; principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, seen as next in line internally; and former Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Katie Zacharia, said to be a favourite of Trump's. CNN commentator Scott Jennings has also been mentioned, compared by one source to former Bush press secretary Tony Snow, while housing official Bill Pulte was raised as a more unconventional option. Former DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin was reportedly ruled out as she is five months pregnant, and cabinet figures including JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Scott Bessent were noted as having performed well at the podium in Leavitt's absence.
In short
- Karoline Leavitt is leaving her role as White House press secretary
- Trump has not yet named a replacement
- Jason Miller, Anna Kelly, Katie Zacharia and Scott Jennings among names floated
Explained simply
The White House press secretary speaks to journalists on behalf of the US president, answers questions and explains the administration’s position. The job is a prominent part of the relationship between the White House and the news media, and the person in the role can become a familiar public figure.
Donald Trump is the president, and his close advisers and communications staff help shape how his administration presents its policies. Names being discussed for the job include current White House staff and people who have worked with Trump or appeared in the media, but speculation does not mean anyone has been chosen.
Who gets the role matters because they will help deliver the administration’s messages and respond to questions from reporters. The appointment may also indicate how Trump wants his team to handle public communication.
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