Trump weighs contenders to replace Leavitt as White House press secretary
President Donald Trump has not named a permanent successor or set a selection timeline following Karoline Leavitt's August 27 exit. Vice President JD Vance led the White House press briefing on September 3.
Why it mattersThe vacancy leaves the administration without its primary daily voice to defend policy and field questions from the briefing room.
How we got here
- Trump weighed rotating officials for press briefings and showed little urgency regarding choosing a successor. CNN
- Susie Wiles planned meetings with potential contenders, considering candidates including Scott Jennings in an early-stage search. CNN
- Trump stated that many people had applied for the job and noted he had not made a decision. Usatoday
- Leavitt’s final day; she said the search was ongoing and that the choice belonged to Trump. People
- JD Vance conducted the first press briefing in over forty days while no permanent successor was announced. Politico, The Hill
What's likely next
- Trump announcing a new White House press secretaryLong shot4%
- Trump announcing his next press secretaryLong shot2%
- Trump announcing a new White House press secretaryUnlikely30%▲ from 18% yesterday
- Trump announcing his next press secretaryUnlikely33%▼ from 39% yesterday
- Trump announcing his next press secretaryLikely76%
All coverage
The coverage
- Trump hasn't decided on Leavitt's replacement as White House press secretary, sources sayCBS News
- Trump’s White House adjusts to life without Karoline LeavittPolitico
- Scott Jennings emerges as early favorite to replace Karoline LeavittCNN
- Here’s Where Trump’s Hunt for a New Press Secretary Stands on Karoline Leavitt’s Last DayPeople
- VP Vance to lead first White House press briefing since JulyThe Hill
- Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s White House Press Secretary, Is Leaving the RoleThe New York Times
- Leavitt Offers Biggest Clue to Trump’s Press Secretary PickYahoo
- Leavitt talks about what's next for her on last day at White ...The Hill
- Karoline Leavitt's possible successors emerge after WH press secretary's surprise departureNypost · Aug 12
Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
More in Politics
Thom Tillis urges Trump to replace Pete Hegseth at Pentagon
Hegseth out as defense secretary by Nov 30: Very unlikely (20%) ▼ from 32%
Trump calls it too early to endorse JD Vance for 2028
Who will Donald Trump endorse in the 2028 presidential election? J.D. Vance leads: Toss-up (47%)
Rasmussen generic ballot shows Democrats leading 48% to 43%
Democrats leading the generic ballot : Very unlikely (16%) ▼ from 57%
Poll shows Nithya Raman leading Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayoral race
Who will win the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election? Nithya Raman leads: Toss-up (57%)
Newsom says he expects Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028
Who will be the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential nominees in 2028? Gavin Newsom and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leads: Very unlikely (8%)