President Donald Trump praised outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as “irreplaceable” during a Monday interview, as speculation swirls over her successor.
Leavitt, 28, announced last week she would step down at month’s end to focus on her family. Trump told Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams that Leavitt had “done a great job,” joking that she “actually likes her children more than she likes Trump.”
Successor Speculation Mounts
Trump’s comments came as potential replacements for the press secretary role circulated in Washington. Alina Habba, a former Trump legal team member and recently appointed acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, emerged as a name in succession discussions after appearing at a weekend gathering at Trump’s Bedminster estate.
President Trump:
I found out Karoline Leavitt likes her children more than she likes Trump, I’m very concerned about that. pic.twitter.com/VDJWjHKsZT
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 16, 2026
Habba, 42, represented Trump during his New York civil fraud case. She founded her law firm in 2020 with offices in Bedminster and New York.
Background on Habba
Habba was appointed acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey in March 2025, overseeing federal prosecutions in the state. Her tenure ended in December 2025 after an appeals court ruled her appointment did not comply with federal requirements.
President Trump had a pretty chill weekend at his Bedminster, NJ club, dancing to the YMCA with Ivanka last night
Alina Habba was seated right behind him, amid rumors Habba could be tapped as the new press secretary 👀 pic.twitter.com/OopLbCVGnO
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 16, 2026
“But do not mistake compliance for surrender,” Habba wrote in a statement. “This decision will not weaken the Justice Department, and it will not weaken me.”
Leavitt’s Departure
Leavitt cited the difficulty of balancing her role with raising two young children, including her second child born in May. Her departure marks a shift in the White House communications office as the administration prepares for upcoming legislative priorities.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.