And now, a number of familiar Trump allies are being discussed as potential candidates.
According to reports, no final decision has been made. But several names have already surfaced, with former Trump attorney Alina Habba and Breitbart Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle among those attracting serious attention.
Alina Habba Enters the Conversation
Habba would bring a combative political style and years of experience defending Trump.
She became widely recognized among Trump supporters while serving as one of the president’s attorneys during his legal battles. Her frequent television appearances made her a recognizable defender of Trump, particularly as Democrats and prosecutors pursued cases against him.
Habba later moved into the administration, serving as a counselor to the president before taking over as U.S. attorney for New Jersey.
If Trump chose Habba, it would also fit a pattern from his first administration. Kayleigh McEnany, another lawyer with a reputation for aggressively defending Trump, became one of the administration’s most prominent public communicators.
Habba’s experience confronting hostile questions and defending the president could make her a natural fit for a White House that has often taken an adversarial approach to legacy media.
Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle Also in the Mix
Another name attracting attention is Matthew Boyle.
Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for Breitbart, has spent years covering Trump and the broader conservative movement. He has also developed a personal relationship with the president, conducting multiple interviews with him, including a recent Oval Office conversation.
That background could be especially valuable for an administration that has increasingly emphasized alternative and conservative media outlets.
Trump’s White House has repeatedly challenged the traditional media establishment while expanding opportunities for newer digital outlets. Reuters reported that Leavitt’s tenure included significant changes to how the administration handled media access, including moving away from the traditional White House Correspondents’ Association system.
Boyle would enter the job with an extensive understanding of that media ecosystem.
Steven Cheung, Taylor Budowich and Anna Kelly
The competition is not limited to outside media figures.
White House communications director Steven Cheung is also being considered. Cheung already plays a major role in shaping the administration’s communications strategy and regularly interacts with reporters.
His biggest advantage may be familiarity. He already understands the inner workings of the Trump White House and the president’s preferred messaging style.
Yet Cheung has generally operated away from the most visible part of the press secretary’s job: the televised briefing-room confrontation.
Taylor Budowich is another potential contender. He previously served as a senior White House official and helped shape the administration’s communications operation and approach to media access.
Then there is Anna Kelly, the principal deputy press secretary, who already works directly within the briefing operation. Her experience could make her one of the more obvious internal choices if Trump wants continuity rather than another major shake-up.
Katie Miller and Other Trump Allies
Katie Miller has also emerged as a name worth watching.
Miller previously served as press secretary to Vice President Mike Pence during Trump’s first administration. She has since established herself as a prominent conservative media personality through her podcast, which has featured senior administration officials.
Other names reportedly being discussed include Monica Crowley, the U.S. chief of protocol, as well as longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller.
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings has also been mentioned, with some recent reports describing him as a potential favorite in the increasingly crowded field. Kari Lake is another familiar Trump-world name that has surfaced in the speculation.
The wide-ranging speculation shows just how important Trump’s choice will be.
Why the Decision Matters
The White House press secretary is far more than simply the person standing behind a podium.
The job requires someone capable of translating the president’s agenda into a message that can survive an increasingly aggressive news cycle. The press secretary must also defend controversial decisions, respond to breaking developments and communicate directly with millions of Americans.
Leavitt developed a reputation for doing exactly that.
Her briefings often went beyond answering reporters’ questions. She used the podium as a platform to promote administration policies, challenge journalists and highlight what the White House viewed as its accomplishments.
That approach made her a favorite among many conservatives while making her a frequent target of criticism from the mainstream media.
Trump himself offered an extraordinary endorsement of Leavitt, calling her one of his “most trusted aides” and “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.”
Her departure therefore creates a difficult challenge: whoever replaces her will have to fill a role that has become closely associated with Trump’s confrontational communication style.
Leavitt’s Exit Is About Family
Despite all the political speculation surrounding her successor, Leavitt has made clear that her decision is centered on her family.
She has two young children, including 2-year-old Niko and her infant daughter, Vivi. She recently returned from maternity leave following the birth of her second child, making the demands of the position particularly difficult to balance with raising a young family.
Trump has indicated that Leavitt will remain involved as an outside adviser, meaning her departure from the briefing room does not necessarily mean her departure from Trump’s political operation.
Who Takes the Podium Next?
For now, there is no official successor.
That leaves Trump with plenty of options—and plenty of room for a surprise.
During periods when Leavitt was unavailable, senior administration officials have already demonstrated that the White House can distribute briefing duties among other prominent figures.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have all appeared behind the podium, while Trump himself has never been shy about addressing reporters directly.
Still, a permanent replacement will eventually be needed.
Whether Trump chooses a lawyer like Habba, a media veteran like Boyle, an insider such as Cheung or Kelly, or shocks Washington with an entirely different selection, the decision will shape the White House’s public voice heading into a critical political period.
Leavitt may be leaving the podium, but the fight over who gets to stand behind it next has only just begun.
