Karoline Leavitt Delivers Last Statement To The Press As White House Press Secretary

Q: Any advice for the next White House Press Secretary?

Karoline Leavitt: Trump is his own best spokesperson. pic.twitter.com/A6UAcEy9ij

— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) August 27, 2026

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Karoline Leavitt to reporters on her last day as Press Secretary:

"Good luck" pic.twitter.com/2cdkEN7R7X

— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) August 27, 2026

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there’s “definitely a list” of who could be her successor, but no decisions have been made just yet, as she takes on her last day in the role.

“As for who the president chooses next it is a decision that is entirely up to him,” Leavitt said Thursday in an appearance on NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network

“Obviously whoever takes this job you spend a lot of time with the president has to be someone he wholeheartedly trusts and believes in,” she added.

The outgoing press secretary explained that she’s offered up her “advice and counsel” on who President Trump should pick next.

“It is a blessing, a privilege and honor to stand behind the White House podium,” she said. “So, whoever gets the job next is a very lucky person to work for this president at this moment in history, and I’ll be here to help every step of the way.”

When announcing her departure, Trump said Leavitt will be “an influential voice within the Republican Party” ahead of the midterms.

She told NewsNation that she has learned “so much” from Trump on how to handle the media.

“I mean, he was, of course, a businessman, built a business empire in New York City and was on the front pages of many tabloids and was spinning up the press before I was even alive,” Leavitt continued. “He’s a pro.”
She added that she is “grateful to the president for being so understanding of me and my family in this very difficult decision.”

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.@PressSec Karoline Leavitt speaks to reporters on her final day serving as White House Press Secretary. pic.twitter.com/rVYLlJXjYf

— CSPAN (@cspan) August 27, 2026

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The White House has not announced a successor, but several names have surfaced as speculation grows over who could take over the job.

CNN contributor Scott Jennings has emerged as an early favorite, multiple sources familiar with the process told CNN. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles recently met with Jennings at the request of the White House, though sources cautioned that the selection process remains far from complete.

Jennings, a veteran Republican political strategist and former adviser to Sen. Mitch McConnell, has become a prominent conservative voice on CNN, where his exchanges with other panelists frequently gain attention online.

Another potential choice is Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, who already works inside the White House press operation and would offer the administration a more straightforward transition.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung has also been discussed as a possibility. Cheung has worked closely with Trump for years and is one of the administration’s most prominent communications officials, though becoming press secretary would put him in a far more regular public-facing role.

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