Who could potentially replace White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt? - BBC News

The job requires managing a complex relationship with the media - as well Trump's high expectations.

Image source, GettyBySareen Habeshian & Bernd Debusmann Jr, White House reporter Published13 August 2026The 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. The secretary also oversees an office that receives a significant amount of inquiries and requests on a daily basis.