Karoline Leavitt gives Trump her take on who should get her White House job

'There's a lot of people who want this job, a lot of capable people who want this job', Karoline Leavitt said
Karoline Leavitt said in her final TV interview as press secretary that she still had President Donald Trump's ear on who should replace her (@karolineleavitt/Instagram)
Karoline Leavitt said in her final TV interview as press secretary that she still had President Donald Trump's ear on who should replace her (@karolineleavitt/Instagram)


WASHINGTON, DC: The outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in her last official television interview, revealed that while she is leaving the White House, she still has the president's ear on who takes her place.

Karoline Leavitt announced her resignation earlier this month, stating that she wants to focus on her children and family.

After returning from maternity leave following the birth of her second child in May, she felt she could not be the best mother while keeping up with the heavy demands of the White House job.

Karoline Leavitt says she's advising Trump on her replacement

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Appearing on Fox News’ 'Fox & Friends' on Thursday, August 27, Leavitt revealed she has been privately advising President Donald Trump on her successor as candidates line up for the high-profile role.

"Of course, we've spoken about it,” Leavitt said, adding that there are a lot of applications for the post.

The host Brian Kilmeade asked, “Did you give [President Trump] a recommendation on who he should pick [to replace you as White House press secretary]?”

To which Leavitt replied, saying that she and President Trump have been discussing the names privately.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to speak at an artificial intelligence and energy summit. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

"One thing I'll say is there is no shortage of applications. There's a lot of people who want this job, a lot of capable people who want this job," she added.

However, Leavitt did not disclose names in consideration, but she did make clear to President Trump the qualities of a press secretary that he should look for in potential candidates.

Leavitt said there is one requirement she believes is indispensable: the president's complete trust.

"Ultimately, it has to be his decision to make. [The] press secretary and the president, you spend a lot of time together – it has to be someone he trusts fully, and I know he'll make the right decision at the right time, and I'll be here to help him if he continues to want me to do so," she said.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions during a news briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on April 8, 2026 in Washington, DC. Leavitt spoke to reporters on a range of topics including a two-week ceasefire deal between the U.S., Iran, and Israel. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions during a news briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on April 8, 2026, in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Karoline Leavitt leaves the podium after 20 months

Karoline Leavitt served as the White House press secretary for around 20 months, and now she is scheduled to leave the White House at the end of August.

She is the youngest press secretary in US history and is stepping away at 28.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 26: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a news briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on January 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. Leavitt discussed the recent ICE shooting in Minneapolis and spoke on FEMA's response to the recent weekend winter storm. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a news briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on January 26, 2026, in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

President Trump supported her decision and stated that she will transition into a role as a top outside adviser.

She plans to remain an active voice and advocate for the Republican Party outside of her official press duties.

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