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Who could potentially replace White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt?

BBC · back to the audit
The departure of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will create a major opening in President Donald Trump's administration, and the guessing-game of who will replace her has already begun.

So far, the White House has not announced who will succeed Leavitt, and sources within and close to the administration said no decision has yet been made.

Leavitt has worked closely with Trump for years, and finding someone to take over could prove difficult. In announcing she would step down at the end of the month, Trump called Leavitt one of his "most trusted aides".

When Leavitt was on leave earlier this year, a series of high-ranking figures, including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gave press briefings, instead of a temporary substitute from her office. Some expect the White House to return to that system, at least temporarily.

But the complex job goes beyond the briefing room podium to include managing contentious relationships with the press, coordinating with other parts of the White House, and providing media advice to the president.

"It's not easy," a source close to the administration told the BBC. "That person will be very aware that he's watching every day."

Here's a look at a few of the potential candidates for the job.

Alina Habba was formerly President Trump's personal lawyer. Katie Miller is an influential conservative podcaster, media personality and former Trump staffer. Anna Kelly is currently White House deputy press secretary and works under Leavitt. Sage Steele, a former television anchor and sportscaster, campaigned for Trump during the 2024 election. Steven Cheung is the White House's communications director and a long-time Trump adviser. Tricia McLaughlin was a former assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. Political commentator Scott Jennings has emerged as a fierce defender of the Trump administration on CNN, where he is a senior political contributor.