Alina Habba and Matthew Boyle Emerge as Leading Contenders to Replace Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary

Following White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s announcement that she will step down at the end of August to spend more time with her young children, speculation has quickly focused on potential successors, with Alina Habba and Matthew Boyle identified by sources close to the administration as early front-runners.

President Donald Trump has not yet named a replacement for Leavitt, who has served as the administration’s primary spokesperson since the start of his second term in January 2025. In announcing her departure, Trump praised Leavitt as one of his most trusted aides and said she would continue as a top outside adviser and influential voice in the Republican Party heading into the midterms. Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the press secretary position, cited the demands of balancing the high-intensity role with motherhood after recently returning from maternity leave following the birth of her second child.

According to reporting based on conversations with sources within and close to the administration, Habba and Boyle are among those under serious consideration. Habba, a New Jersey attorney who rose to prominence as one of Trump’s personal lawyers, frequently defended him on television during his legal battles prior to the 2024 election. She briefly served as a counselor to the president early in the second term before being appointed interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey. That appointment later faced legal challenges regarding its duration, after which she resigned and has continued in advisory roles connected to the Justice Department. Her selection would follow a pattern set in Trump’s first term, when attorney Kayleigh McEnany moved from legal advocacy and media appearances into the press secretary role.

Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for Breitbart News, is viewed by some Trump allies as a strong fit due to his deep familiarity with the conservative media landscape and his longstanding access to the president. Trump has granted Boyle multiple interviews over the years, including a recent sit-down in the Oval Office. Supporters of Boyle highlight his investigative background and steady, assertive presence as assets for managing the daily briefing room and the broader communications challenges facing the administration.

Other names that have surfaced in discussions include principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, White House communications director Steven Cheung, former deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich, and Katie Miller, among others. Some officials have also noted that senior administration figures, including Vice President JD Vance and Cabinet secretaries, have previously stepped in to handle briefings during Leavitt’s maternity leave, leaving open the possibility of a temporary or unconventional arrangement.

No final decision has been announced, and Trump retains full discretion over the appointment. The choice will determine who becomes the public face of the administration in the critical months leading into the November midterm elections. Leavitt is expected to remain in the role through the end of the month while the selection process continues.