WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump publicly praised Karoline Leavitt as she prepared to leave her position as White House press secretary, calling attention to her role in his administration while acknowledging her decision to spend more time with her young family.
During a recent interview with Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams, Trump was asked whether Leavitt could be replaced after her departure from the White House podium.
“Is Karoline Leavitt replaceable?” McAdams asked.
“No, she’s not. She really isn’t,” Trump responded, praising Leavitt before turning the exchange into a lighthearted moment.
Trump joked that Leavitt’s decision to leave was evidence that her priorities extended beyond the White House.
“She actually likes her children more than she likes Trump. I’m very concerned about that,” he said.
The remark underscored Trump’s public appreciation for Leavitt, who became a prominent and highly visible spokesperson for his administration.
Leavitt Leaves the White House
Leavitt officially completed her final day as White House press secretary on August 27, 2026. She became the youngest person ever to hold the position after taking the job at the beginning of Trump’s second administration.
Trump announced earlier in August that Leavitt would leave the position so she could spend more time with her family. She had given birth to her second child, a daughter, in May.
Leavitt subsequently confirmed that she would remain involved in Trump’s political operation. Fox News reported that she planned to join Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. following her White House departure.
Who Will Take Over?
Attention quickly shifted to the question of who would replace Leavitt behind the White House briefing-room podium.
Trump told McAdams that she could potentially take the job herself, jokingly asking, “You. How about you?” while praising her work as a correspondent.
The comments were not a formal announcement. Earlier reporting indicated that Trump had not settled on a permanent replacement, while Leavitt said before leaving that she had discussed potential successors with the president and offered her advice.
Several names have circulated publicly, including White House communications director Steven Cheung and Alina Habba, a former Trump attorney and former acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Public speculation, however, does not establish that either person was selected for the position.
A New Chapter for the White House Communications Team
Leavitt’s departure marks a transition for the administration’s communications operation as the White House approaches the 2026 midterm elections.
The press secretary serves as a central public-facing representative of the administration, answering questions from reporters, explaining White House policies and communicating the president’s positions to the public.
While Trump has continued to publicly praise Leavitt, the White House’s search for her permanent successor has remained a closely watched personnel decision.
For now, Leavitt’s next chapter will keep her connected to Trump’s political operation, while the White House determines who will ultimately inherit the podium she occupied for more than a year and a half.