Following Karoline Leavitt’s resignation announcement as White House Press Secretary on Wednesday, insiders are speculating about her replacement.
Donald Trump described Leavitt as one of his “most trusted aides” and said that she would continue to play an influential role within the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Being the youngest person to hold the position, 28-year-old Leavitt was known among journalists and officials for her sharp defence of Trump's policies. She has been criticised for her aggressive responses to reporters and attempts to justify Trump's ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A White House source told the New York Post that Trump has not yet decided on a replacement. The tabloid reported that the top contenders for the role are believed to include Aline Habba, the former acting US attorney for New Jersey and Breitbart's Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle.
Habba was one of Trump’s senior advisers and is known for passionately defending him on television before he assumed power. She is also known for legally representing Trump through his high-profile civil trials. In December 2025, Habba resigned as the acting US attorney for New Jersey following an intense legal battle over the validity of her appointment. She currently serves as a senior advisor to US Attorney General Pam Bondi at the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Matthew Boyle is a potential pick, considering his knowledge of the conservative media ecosystem. His experience conducting investigations targeting public figures and multiple interviews with Trump could help him manage PR challenges.
Apart from these contenders, others include former White House deputy chief of staff for communications, Taylor Budowich and current White House communications director Steven Cheung.
Budowich was a prominent figure within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and has served as a key political strategist and spokesperson for Trump. He was the main force behind the White House taking control of the presidential press pool in February 2025. He left the Trump administration to work in the private sector.
Steven Cheung already plays half the role of press secretary, including meeting with journalists to provide information and shape coverage. However, he has not appeared to brief reporters on camera.
Katie Miller, the former Press Secretary to Vice President Mike Pence and the wife of senior Trump advisor Stephen Miller, is another possibility. Miller is also well known for her work with tech billionaire Elon Musk and her podcast, Katie Miller Pod, where top officials regularly feature.
