Full Breakdown
Trump Weighs Replacement Options After Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Announces Resignation
8/20/2026, 7:53:25 AM
Core Event: Leavitt’s Departure and the Search for a Successor
Karoline Leavitt, who has served as White House press secretary since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, announced on August 12 that she will leave the post at the end of August. She gave birth to her second child on May 1 and returned to the podium on July 16, less than a month before her resignation, and will remain an outside senior adviser. The vacancy emerges as the administration heads into a busy midterm-election season.
Background & Context: Press-Secretary Turnover Under Trump
All of Trump’s press secretaries to date have been women, beginning with Sean Spicer’s brief tenure in 2017 and followed by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, Kayleigh McEnany, and Leavitt. Spicer has noted that “it’s all been women, and my guess is that pattern continues.” Trump has signaled interest in a male successor, with sources mentioning former Bush aide Scott Jennings and former press secretary Ari Fleischer.
Candidate Landscape and Decision Process
A rotating cast of officials—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Medicare-Medicaid chief Dr. Mehmet Oz—filled in for briefings during Leavitt’s maternity leave. Current speculation lists roughly a dozen possible replacements: Scott Jennings, Alina Habba (former personal attorney), Elizabeth Pipko (former RNC spokesperson), Anna Kelly (principal deputy press secretary), Tricia McLaughlin (former Homeland Security spokeswoman), and others.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump has not issued a public statement on the timing of a permanent appointment. A source close to the White House indicated that the administration may continue using rotating cabinet briefings “for an indefinite period.” The White House emphasized that Leavitt will stay on as an adviser and that the president values continuity in the role, as reflected in Spicer’s comment that “the president’s learned through five press secretaries that this is a position that he cares a lot about.”
Data & Statistics
- May 1 – Leavitt’s second child born.
- July 16 – Leavitt returned to daily briefings.
- August 12 – Public announcement of resignation, with departure slated for the end of August.
- Since January 2026, six high-profile women have left Trump’s inner circle, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the timeline for naming a permanent press secretary. CNN and three insiders describe an “indefinite” rotating-briefing approach, while NBC News suggests the administration may wait until after the November midterms. No official timetable has been disclosed, and the qualifications Trump seeks remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, 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 and embark on a new chapter in my life,” — Karoline Leavitt
- “It’s all been women, and my guess is that pattern continues,” — Sean Spicer
What’s Next
If the administration follows the NBC News assessment, a decision on a permanent press secretary could be announced after the November elections. Otherwise, the White House is expected to continue rotating briefings among senior officials until a nominee is confirmed.
