Here’s who could replace White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
President Donald Trump’s announcement that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is departing the administration at the end of the month has sparked speculation regarding a possible replacement. Although Trump could decide to do something nontraditional and not replace Leavitt, as the White House did not replace her during her maternity leave this summer, here […]
President Donald Trump’s announcement that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is departing the administration at the end of the month has sparked speculation regarding a possible replacement.
Although Trump could decide to do something nontraditional and not replace Leavitt, as the White House did not replace her during her maternity leave this summer, here is a list of four possible, but unconfirmed, competitors for the role:
White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly is Leavitt’s second-in-command.
Kelly, 29, has represented the White House increasingly on television and radio, particularly as her foreign policy communications portfolio has dominated news headlines.
Kelly, a former beauty queen, served as a spokeswoman for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign before joining the White House. She previously worked for the Republican National Committee and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI).
Kingsley Wilson
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson conducts a news briefing for “Bring Your Child to Work Day” at the Pentagon on April 24, 2025. (Defense Department)
Kingsley Wilson has served as the Department of War‘s press secretary since May 2025. She previously had stints at the Center for Renewing America, social media platform GETTR, and Trump’s 2020 campaign.
Wilson was the youngest War Department press secretary at the time of her appointment at the age of 26.
Her father is Steve Cortes, a former Trump adviser and 2016 and 2020 campaign spokesman.
Sean Parnell
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Pennsylvania Republican congressional candidate Sean Parnell poses for photos ahead of a campaign rally with President Donald Trump Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 in Moon Township, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
” data-large-file=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt.jpg” height=”683″ width=”1024″ src=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt.jpg” alt=”Pennsylvania Republican congressional candidate Sean Parnell poses for photos ahead of a campaign rally with President Donald Trump Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 in Moon Township, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)” class=”wp-image-4685505″ srcset=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp 4787w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=300,200 300w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=768,512 768w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=150,100 150w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=696,464 696w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=1068,712 1068w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-10.webp?resize=1920,1280 1920w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”>Pennsylvania Republican congressional candidate Sean Parnell poses for photos ahead of a campaign rally with President Donald Trump Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 in Moon Township, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Sean Parnell, Wilson’s boss at the War Department, is War Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s top public affairs adviser.
The combat veteran and former congressional candidate has overseen the overhaul of the War Department’s relationship with reporters. The revamp hasn’t been without controversy, however, with Pentagon reporters claiming they’ve been compelled to sign agreements they will not publish classified information in exchange for access to the building.
Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025. (Pool File via AP)
Alina Habba is Trump’s former acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. She was also the president’s counselor at the start of his second term. Before joining the administration, Habba was an assertive legal spokeswoman for Trump during his legal battles.
A one-time MAGA Inc. adviser, Habba is among the top bets on Kalshi’s prediction market as a possible replacement for Leavitt.
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<p> ” data-large-file=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-1.webp” src=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-1.webp” alt=”Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson stands behind a podium.” class=”wp-image-4685565″ style=”width:770px;height:auto” srcset=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-7.webp 910w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-7.webp?resize=300,187 300w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-7.webp?resize=768,479 768w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-7.webp?resize=150,94 150w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heres-who-could-replace-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-7.webp?resize=696,434 696w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px”><figcaption class=)
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson conducts a news briefing for “Bring Your Child to Work Day” at the Pentagon on April 24, 2025. (Defense Department)
Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025. (Pool File via AP)
