Karoline Leavitt Steps Down as White House Press Secretary and Trump Has a New Role for Her – Details

Her announcement may have answered why she is walking away from the briefing room, but it has also opened the door to a much bigger Washington guessing game.

Karoline Leavitt is closing a major chapter at the White House, but this is not exactly a clean break from Donald Trump's orbit. And as tributes pour in, attention is already turning to a question that could make her departure even more interesting: who takes over the podium next?

On August 12, 2026, Leavitt announced that she would be stepping down as White House press secretary, bringing an end to what she described as the "honor and adventure of a lifetime."

In her lengthy statement on X, Leavitt reflected on working in the West Wing, spending time in the Oval Office, traveling around the world and meeting foreign leaders, and visiting Americans across the country.

She also thanked Trump for giving her the "distinct privilege" of speaking on his behalf from the White House podium, saying she had taken great pride in defending his administration's record and pushing back against the media.

Leavitt Reveals Why She's Walking Away

Leavitt explained that becoming a mother while holding one of Washington's most demanding public-facing jobs had been both deeply rewarding and incredibly difficult. Since returning to the White House following the birth of her daughter, she said her priorities had become impossible to ignore.

"I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House," Leavitt penned.

Her strikingly candid explanation also makes clear that her departure is about stepping away from the daily demands of the job, rather than stepping away from Trump altogether.

In fact, Leavitt's announcement contained another major reveal: "President Trump has asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside."

Leavitt added that she intends to remain "a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party," declaring that her political fight is entering "a new phase" but is "far from over." She went on to thank Trump, the First Lady, the wider Trump family, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, members of the Cabinet, her staff and colleagues.

Leavitt also reserved a special thank-you for her husband and family, crediting them for the sacrifices they made while she served in the role.

Trump Confirms Leavitt's Next Move

Trump made clear that he supports Leavitt's decision and reiterated that he already has plans to keep her close to his political operation. In a Truth Social statement shared by Rapid Response 47, Trump said Leavitt would depart at the end of the month so she could "spend more time with her beautiful young children and family."

He called the decision one he "totally" understands and respects. But he quickly confirmed that Leavitt wasn't disappearing from his team. As Leavitt had revealed, Trump said she will become one of his "top outside advisors" as well as an influential voice within the Republican Party as his movement looks ahead to the midterm elections.

He praised Leavitt as a "real leader in the White House" and said she had done a "phenomenal job" since joining his political operation. Trump also described her as one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office before signing off with: "Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!"

The Big Question Now: Who Could Replace Her?

With Leavitt heading for the exit, speculation has naturally turned to who could become Trump's next press secretary.

The Times highlighted a wide-ranging group of possible contenders, from current administration insiders to television personalities and some considerably more unconventional possibilities.

Anna Kelly

Anna Kelly could be one of the most straightforward options. Kelly serves as deputy press secretary and, according to the report, had already been widely tipped to fill in for Leavitt during her maternity leave before Trump instead opted to have a rotating group of senior figures address the press.

She is also a regular presence on Fox News and other cable networks and has been quick to challenge stories on social media as "fake news." At 29, Kelly is close in age to Leavitt and reportedly has a similar on-camera presence.

Before moving into Trump's political world, Kelly was the 2019 Miss State Fair of Virginia and later became involved with Trump's 2024 presidential campaign after working as Wisconsin communications director for the Republican National Committee.

Alina Habba

Alina Habba would bring a very different résumé to the briefing room. Habba spent years defending Trump through high-profile legal disputes, including matters involving his former Adviser Michael Cohen and Author E. Jean Carroll.

That work regularly put Habba in front of cameras for impromptu press conferences outside courthouses, giving her plenty of experience delivering forceful public defenses of Trump. Trump later appointed her as counselor to the president, a senior political adviser, before attempting to appoint her as the top attorney in New Jersey.

She ultimately served as acting attorney after a court ruled that the administration had not followed the proper appointment process, and she now serves as a senior adviser in the attorney general's office.

Harrison Fields

Harrison Fields also comes with direct press-office experience. Fields served as an assistant press secretary in 2020 and later as deputy press secretary, becoming Leavitt's second in command for roughly seven months before leaving in August of last year (2025) to join a lobbying firm.

During Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, Fields acted as one of his media "surrogates" and spoke publicly on his behalf. The report also notes that Fields praised Leavitt for knowing how to "feed the media beast in a cunning, audacious and successful way."

However, compared with some of the other potential names, he has not been as frequent a presence on Trump's preferred television outlets.

Margo Martin

Margo Martin is another familiar figure in Trump's inner circle, although her current job looks very different from the traditional press secretary role. As the president's special assistant and communications adviser, Martin has become a major force behind Trump's social media presence, with her videos regularly appearing on Team Trump accounts and attracting millions of views.

Originally from Oklahoma, Martin previously worked as a press assistant during Trump's first administration and later moved to Palm Beach, Florida, to continue working with him after he left office. The report describes Martin as MAGA's most prolific content creator, while Trump has reportedly called her "the most beautiful photographer in the world."

Leavitt herself has previously said Martin has the "trust of the president." Still, moving from a behind-the-scenes social media role to becoming the administration's main representative in the briefing room would be a substantial shift.

Katie Miller

Katie Miller is another name with deep connections to Trump's political operation. Miller, the wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, has built her own media profile through a podcast, television appearances, and online commentary, often interviewing administration figures and discussing Trump administration policies.

She also previously worked on Capitol Hill, including for Mike Pence, and served as an aide to Elon Musk at DOGE.

There is one obvious practical consideration, however: Miller has four children, including a newborn, something the report suggested could make taking on such an all-consuming role difficult.

Scott Jennings

Scott Jennings would be a more unconventional choice. Jennings has become a familiar conservative voice on CNN, regularly appearing as a commentator in discussions involving Trump and his administration.

That television role has earned him praise from inside Trumpworld, with the report noting that Trump personally enjoys watching his commentary.

At 48, Jennings is older than several of the other potential candidates and also brings decades of experience in Republican politics dating back to 2000. One of his earlier jobs was working as a campaign manager for Mitch McConnell, giving him a résumé that stretches well beyond media commentary.

Kingsley Wilson

Then there is Kingsley Wilson, whose potential selection could prove significantly more controversial. Wilson has served as press secretary at the Department of War since May of last year (2025) and became particularly visible during the Iran war.

However, the report said she could be a divisive option because of previous comments she made while working at the right-wing Center for Renewing America.

Despite the controversy, Wilson appears to have significant support within the administration. She became the youngest press secretary at the Pentagon at 26 and also has family connections to Trump's political movement: her father is Steve Cortes, who served as a communications spokesman for Trump during the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.

Laura Loomer

And then there is perhaps the most eye-catching name on the list: Laura Loomer. The Times pointed to the 2024 book "How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America," by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, which recounted Trump once asking aides about Loomer: "Is she too fringe to be press secretary?"

Loomer has developed a reputation in Washington as both an ally of Trump and an enforcer within his movement, at times highlighting administration figures she views as insufficiently loyal. Some of those figures have subsequently been dismissed, according to the report.

However, the report also suggested a Loomer appointment is considered unlikely, despite Trump's continued relationship with her.

Loomer was also the person who showed Trump unfounded online allegations before the 2024 ABC presidential debate claiming Haitian immigrants in Ohio were stealing and eating cats and geese.

Trump repeated a version of that claim during the debate, prompting allies including Kellyanne Conway and Lindsey Graham to urge him to distance himself from Loomer. Despite that, the two have reportedly remained in contact.

So while several names may look far more conventional, the range of possibilities alone guarantees plenty of intrigue around Trump's eventual choice.

JD Vance Praises Leavitt's Time at the Podium

Leavitt's announcement quickly triggered a wave of messages from major administration figures. Vice President JD Vance praised her on X, describing the White House press secretary position as "one of the hardest jobs in the Administration."

"She did the job with grace, wit and a smile on her face," Vance wrote. He called her one of the administration's most effective voices for explaining and defending Trump's agenda.

Vance also addressed the parenting pressures involved in a nonstop political job, saying he knew "how difficult yet rewarding a constant job like this can be for a young parent." "We're sad to see her go, but I know she'll continue to do great things," he concluded.

Susie Wiles, Marco Rubio, Kash Patel and Erika Kirk React

Other prominent figures offered their own warm tributes following Leavitt's announcement. As Fox News reported, White House Chief of Staff Wiles called Leavitt "nothing short of extraordinary."

"You have taken on one of the toughest jobs in Washington with confidence, discipline, grace and an unmatched ability to deliver the President's message. Simply put, you are the greatest @PressSec," Wiles said. She also praised Leavitt as a wife and mother and said she is excited to see what Leavitt’s next chapter looks like.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly wished Leavitt and her family well, adding, "Karoline has been a critical part of President Trump's team and has played a pivotal role in the historic accomplishments of the most transparent administration in American history.”

FBI Director Kash Patel also thanked Leavitt, calling her "a true friend and one of the greatest to ever stand at that podium." "You handled the job with strength and clarity. Grateful for everything you gave this fight. Excited for what's next. -DKP," Patel wrote.

Meanwhile, Erika Kirk focused specifically on Leavitt's decision to put her family first. "Family always comes first. There is wisdom and strength in knowing what season God is calling you into and having the courage to follow it," Kirk said.

She thanked Leavitt for her service and added, "Your family is blessed to have you and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you next."

Steven Cheung Says It Isn't Really Goodbye

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung also shared an emotional response. In his August 12 post on X, Cheung called Leavitt "the best teammate" and praised her as "fiercely loyal, unflappable, and a great person who serves the President with honor." "Although this is a sad day, we're so happy for her and her family," he expressed further.

And perhaps fittingly, Cheung's closing line summed up the unusual nature of Leavitt's departure: "It's never 'goodbye.' It's always 'see you down the road.'"

That feels especially appropriate considering Leavitt's next move. She may be giving up the daily White House briefings and the relentless demands of the press secretary job, but Trump has already ensured she won't be going very far politically.

Instead, Karoline Leavitt is trading the podium for an outside advisory role, while a crowded and sometimes surprising field of potential successors waits to see who gets the microphone next.