Trump taps successor for departing press secretary Leavitt

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, is stepping down at the end of August. Trump announced the move on Truth Social on Wednesday, framing it as Leavitt's choice to prioritize her children and family life. She is 28 years old. Rather than leaving the administration entirely, she will transition into an outside advisory role, where Trump said she will serve as one of his top advisors and help shape Republican Party strategy heading into the midterm elections.

The departure has set off a quiet scramble within the White House communications office. Several names have surfaced as potential replacements, each with their own path through Republican politics and proximity to Trump. Anna Kelly, who currently holds the title of principal deputy press secretary, is among the leading candidates. She works directly under Leavitt and is responsible for keeping the public informed about administration activities. Kelly is 29 years old, grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, about 35 minutes outside Washington, and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Auburn University and a master's in political management from George Washington University. She worked as the Wisconsin communications director for the Republican National Committee from late 2019 through late 2020, and eventually joined Trump's 2024 campaign.

Kelly proved herself capable of handling high-pressure situations. In late April, when Leavitt took maternity leave, Kelly stepped in alongside two other junior staffers—Margo Martin and Natalie Harp—to cover her responsibilities. All three accompanied Trump to China in May for a significant diplomatic summit. That experience gave them visibility at a moment when the administration needed to demonstrate continuity and competence.

Natalie Harp, 35, currently serves as Trump's executive assistant and has become something of a fixture in his daily routine. According to Alex Isenstadt's book about Trump's political comeback, she earned the nickname "the human printer" because she carries a wireless printer to deliver news stories to the president throughout the day. Harp is a California native and a bone cancer survivor who previously worked as a television presenter. She began her role as executive assistant in January 2025, though she had been part of Trump's communications operation since 2022. The Wall Street Journal reported that Harp is believed to be the primary architect of Trump's Truth Social posts. She collects screenshots of social media content—praise from supporters, attacks on Democrats, criticism of Trump's opponents—prints them out, and once Trump approves the selections, she logs into his account and posts them at all hours, including weekends and holidays. White House officials acknowledged to the Journal that Trump does post some messages himself, but Harp handles the bulk of the volume.

Margo Martin, Trump's communications advisor and special assistant, represents another possibility. An Oklahoma native, she was a press assistant during Trump's first term and has remained in his orbit since he left office in January 2021. She manages his social media accounts and is often at his side with an iPhone, documenting moments for public consumption. Leavitt has publicly praised Martin as part of a select inner circle that enjoys Trump's trust, noting that Martin's ability to observe his daily operations and translate them for the American public is a rare asset.

Other candidates mentioned include Steven Cheung, the White House Communications Director and a longtime Trump adviser who served as chief communications director during the 2024 campaign. Cheung is known for aggressive, combative public advocacy on Trump's behalf and frequent social media clashes with the president's political opponents. Also in consideration are Liz Hudson, the current assistant and regional press secretary; Kush Desai, the deputy press secretary; and Harrison Field, the principal deputy press secretary.

The succession decision will shape how the administration communicates with the public through the remainder of Trump's term and into the midterm campaign season. Each candidate brings different strengths—Kelly's Capitol Hill experience and formal communications training, Harp's proximity to Trump and control over his digital voice, Martin's long-standing relationship and multimedia documentation skills, or Cheung's aggressive public posture. The choice will signal which communication strategy Trump intends to emphasize as he heads into the 2026 elections.