Karoline Leavitt to leave White House press secretary role
President Trump said Karoline Leavitt will step down as White House press secretary at the end of the month.
Alina Habba is “flattered” by the betting odds being in her favor for her as the next White House press secretary, but she says she’s not in the running for the role. The position became vacant after current press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that she was stepping down to spend more time with family.
“Flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I’m not in the running for any job,” Habib said in an Aug. 19 post on X. “However, if I’m getting a new one, I’d love for one of these anonymous sources to let me know first.”
She added: “Fake news remains the undefeated champ…well…until I come at them.”
Habba, who is President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, gained notoriety in 2024 as the president’s defense counsel during his legal proceedings in New York. She made frequent appearances in front of television cameras on behalf of Trump.
After his 2024 election victory, Trump named Habba counselor to the president. He later nominated her as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. In December, Habba resigned as U.S. attorney for the district of New Jersey after a federal appeals court ruled that she was serving in the role unlawfully because she was never confirmed by Congress.
She does not appear to hold an official position in the White House at the moment.
Earlier, while praising Leavitt for being “perfection” and expertly handling fake news, Habba said, “whoever gets that podium next better come ready for a fight they have big shoes to fill.”
Scott Jennings becomes new betting favorite
After Habba shut down speculation, CNN political commentator Scott Jennings became the new betting favorite on Kalshi, followed by Leavitt’s deputy, Anna Kelly, and Trump aide Natalie Harp.
When asked whether he was in the running for the position, Jennings, in a live Q&A with CNN’s Abby Phillip, said: “Well, I don’t have any comment about that, but it’s an important job. And because that person has to represent the most powerful person in the world, in the entire U.S. government, and you know, what they say matters.”
When pressed about whether he would take the position if offered, Jennings said: “Oh, I’m not going to answer that.”
He added that he speaks to the White House all the time but refused to offer additional details regarding the position.
Jennings, a former aide to President George W. Bush, was under consideration for the press secretary role after Trump won the 2024 election, according to Fox News, but was not selected.
Karoline Leavitt exits role to spend more time with family
Leavitt, who became the youngest person to assume the position at 27, announced in a surprise move that she was stepping down from her role as one of the most visible faces of the administration in order to spend more time with her family.
Trump, who first announced Leavitt’s exit in an Aug. 12 post on Truth Social, called her “one of my most trusted aides” and “wonderful.” He said he understands and respects her decision, adding that Leavitt will remain one of his top outside advisers and an influential voice within the Republican Party.
“Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!” Trump said.
Leavitt, now 28, who has served in the role during all of Trump’s second term, except for her maternity leave, is known for her combative and energetic communications style behind the podium and has often set the tone for the White House’s handling of a wide range of issues. She is expected to leave at the end of the month.
What does the White House press secretary do?
The White House press secretary serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for members of the press.
Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany previously served as Trump’s press secretaries during his first administration.
Contributing: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.