Trump Press Secretary Replacement Speculation Explodes As Familiar Name Resurfaces
Speculation is growing over who will take over one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent communications roles after Katie Zacharia stepped down Friday. Among the names drawing attention is former press secretary Karoline Leavitt, whose possible return would bring a familiar figure back to the White House podium.
An October 16 Kalshi report listed Anna Kelly, Scott Jennings and Leavitt as potential candidates to become Zacharia’s permanent replacement. Kelly led the market at 24 percent, followed by Jennings at 17 percent and Leavitt at 6 percent.
The figures reflect traders’ expectations. They do not confirm that any of the three has been interviewed or offered the position, or that Trump favors a particular candidate. The president has made no public endorsement of the names listed.
Asked Friday who might replace Zacharia, Trump said many people wanted the job, according to The Associated Press. He did not name a preferred candidate or give a timeline for a decision.
Leavitt’s place in the speculation has fueled talk of a possible return, but no agreement for her to rejoin the administration has been reported. For now, the White House has yet to announce who will take the role.
The search follows a brief and turbulent period for Zacharia, whose tenure began Monday. Her first appearance in the briefing room came Tuesday, when she took questions from three reporters over roughly 14 minutes, AP reported.
Zacharia later said she wanted to leave time for Trump to speak with reporters that morning. She also said White House staff had not fully briefed her before she took the podium. The short briefing quickly put her preparation and readiness for the demanding job under scrutiny.
On Friday’s “Fox & Friends,” Zacharia was asked whether she still had the president’s confidence. She said she hoped to build confidence and trust with those around her. According to AP, she did not say when she would hold another briefing.
CNN reported Friday, citing advisers to the president, that Trump had fired Zacharia. The report shifted the focus from whether she would remain in the role to who might succeed her as the administration’s public face.
Earlier that day, Trump said he had encouraged Zacharia to reconsider whether she wanted the position.
“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump said he told her.
“Katie, do you need this?” he recalled asking.
Trump publicly described his comments as an expression of concern for someone facing heavy criticism. He also said they would speak after his trip to Georgia, while suggesting the decision could be hers. CNN later reported, citing presidential advisers, that he had removed her from the position.
Questions about Zacharia’s qualifications added to the attention surrounding her first days as the administration’s spokeswoman. On Thursday, October 15, she acknowledged that she had not passed the bar examination, Reuters reported. The admission came after questions about her descriptions of herself as a lawyer before becoming Trump’s chief spokeswoman.
With the midterms approaching, whoever takes over will inherit a high-profile job that requires explaining the administration’s decisions, responding to breaking developments and answering questions before a national audience. The next press secretary will also face comparisons with those who previously held the post.
The Kalshi figures offer no guarantee of who Trump will choose. Kelly’s lead is well short of a majority, and Leavitt’s inclusion in the market does not indicate that she has expressed interest in returning to the White House.
As the personnel change draws attention, the distinction remains clear: several names are circulating, but no successor had been announced in the reporting available Friday afternoon.