Karoline Leavitt says Trump has a list to replace her, but won’t name names

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times - Thursday, August 27, 2026

Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president has a short list of names to replace her.

In a Thursday interview with NewsNation’s “Morning in America,” she said, “There is definitely a list, and there’s a lot of good people. I won’t say any names or break any news on that front.”

Still, names floated include CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings, White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and political adviser Katie Miller.

“Obviously, whoever takes this job, you spend a lot of time with the president. It has to be someone he wholeheartedly trusts and believes in. I will say there’s no shortage of applications. There are many capable people who want this job,” Ms. Leavitt said.

She said she offered to give him advice in choosing the next person.

“I think I have a say in the qualities that the person should have,” she said. “I will leave the decision to the president himself, and I’ll keep my private counsel to him private.”

Her last day at the White House on Friday will not be her last by the president’s side, as she’s trading the podium for a campaign and advisory role, she said.

Ms. Leavitt’s continuity of influence will roll over into the November midterms as she joins the MAGA Inc. super PAC.

Mr. Trump noted she will remain a strong voice in the Republican Party to help support conservative candidates as she joins him on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms.

“I very much look forward to returning home and spending a lot more time with my kids, but continuing to serve as an outside adviser to the president and cheering him on every step of the way over the course of the next two years here in Washington,” she said.

With a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old at home, Ms. Leavitt is departing her post at the White House after 20 months to spend more time with them.

Her exit will mark the fifth senior woman to leave the administration this year, following former Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.