Alina Habba has ruled out becoming the next White House press secretary, stepping back from a role she previously said she would seriously consider, as the search for Karoline Leavitt’s replacement intensifies.
Habba, Trump’s former personal lawyer and longtime political adviser, made the announcement on Wednesday, dismissing speculation that had mounted since Leavitt announced her resignation on August 12. Leavitt, 28, said she would leave her post at the end of the month to spend more time with her young children, according to the New York Times and other outlets.
The decision to step aside marks a reversal from Habba’s previous stance. In November 2024, she told The Hill she would “very seriously consider” the White House press secretary position if offered. At that time, she was emerging as an early front-runner for the role, though Trump had not yet made a formal decision.
With Habba now out of the running, Scott Jennings has become the favorite in prediction markets to replace Leavitt. According to Fox News, Jennings holds a 37% probability on Kalshi, a prediction market platform, while other contenders include Anna Kelly, the White House principal deputy press secretary, and conservative political figures Katie Miller and Steven Cheung.
Habba’s background includes serving as Trump’s defense counsel during his legal proceedings in 2024 and later as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. She resigned from that position in December 2025 after a federal appeals court ruled her appointment unlawful, according to Democracy Now and other sources.
Leavitt became the youngest person ever to serve as White House press secretary when she took the role in January 2025. Trump announced her departure on Wednesday, saying she would remain involved in the administration as an outside communications adviser and party operative, according to Reuters.
Sources
- Fox News — Habba’s statement ruling out press secretary role and Jennings’ prediction market standing
- New York Times — Leavitt’s resignation announcement and reason for departure
- The Hill — Habba’s November 2024 statement that she would “very seriously consider” the role
- Reuters — Trump’s announcement of Leavitt’s departure and her continued role as adviser
- Democracy Now — Federal appeals court ruling on Habba’s appointment as U.S. attorney
- NBC News — Leavitt’s age and tenure as youngest press secretary
