Overview
- President Trump told reporters he may have developed a short list of candidates to replace Karoline Leavitt but has not named a permanent successor.
- The White House has relied on rotating senior officials and Cabinet members to hold on‑the‑record briefings instead of appointing a new press secretary.
- Officials who have filled the role include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and the president publicly named several other potential names.
- Karoline Leavitt left the West Wing in late August to raise her child and now works for the pro‑Trump super PAC MAGA Inc., and she remains an outside adviser while the administration vets replacements.
- Critics warn that the temporary rotation reduces consistent daily access and on‑the‑record accountability, which could complicate the administration’s communications and affect campaign messaging ahead of the midterms; one outlet’s unverified report about an AI use allegation in Leavitt’s departure remains limited in sourcing.