US President Donald Trump has begun publicly floating possible names to replace White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is due to leave the post at the end of August. Trump said Friday that he had received an unusually large number of applications for the job. “I have never had so many job applications in my life,” he told reporters. “They all want that job. They love that job.”
When asked about conservative commentator Scott Jennings, Trump replied, “Scott Jennings is good.” He also raised the name of longtime communications adviser Margo Martin, asking reporters: “Maybe Margo? What do you think of Margo?”
USA Today reported that Trump has yet to make a decision, with speculation over Leavitt’s replacement ranging from conservative reporters and Republican strategists to current and former Trump administration officials.
Scott Jennings: A conservative commentator known for his vocal defence of Trump’s agenda, he is one of the names being discussed for the job.
Jennings’ name has attracted attention because he is already a familiar face on television and has regularly defended Trump and his policies in the media. However, Trump’s comment should not be treated as an endorsement or confirmation that Jennings has been selected.
Margo Martin: A longtime Trump communications adviser, she is another name Trump himself has publicly mentioned. Martin has reportedly worked in Trump’s press operation since his first administration and is among the people being considered for the position.
Martin would be an internal option, already familiar with Trump and his communications operation.
The field appears to be wider than the two names Trump mentioned publicly. USA Today reported that speculation has included conservative reporters, Republican strategists and current and former Trump administration officials.
Leavitt announced on August 12 that she would leave her position as White House press secretary at the end of August. At 28, she is the youngest person to have held the position. Leavitt became press secretary at the beginning of Trump’s second term after previously working as a spokeswoman for his 2024 presidential campaign and as a White House press aide during his first term.
Leavitt recently gave birth to her second child and is leaving the role to devote more time to her family.
Her departure, however, does not mean she is leaving Trump’s political orbit. Leavitt plans to return to MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC where she previously worked. She also told reporters she would return in September for a Republican midterm convention in Texas.
Trump has described Leavitt as someone who will remain an important outside adviser.
Whoever replaces Leavitt will take over one of the most visible communications jobs in the White House. Trump closely follows the news and often reacts to developments in real time on social media. That means his press secretary has to be quick on their feet, ready to respond to breaking developments while also defending the president’s position.
Leavitt was rarely caught off guard in public, according to USA Today, and became known for commanding the podium and defending Trump without contradicting him.
Trump praised her on Friday, saying: “She’s made that job very glamorous.”
For India, the appointment is worth watching because the person at the White House podium will be a key voice communicating the administration’s position on issues such as immigration, visas, trade and foreign policy, areas that can directly affect Indians and the Indian diaspora.
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