With Karoline Leavitt preparing to step down as White House Press Secretary, two of President Trump’s most vocal defenders have emerged as the leading candidates to take her place, according to a New York Post report citing administration sources.
Trump announced Wednesday that Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in White House history, would be leaving the podium to spend more time with her two young children. She will remain close to the president as one of his top outside advisors, The Gateway Pundit reported. Leavitt, who took the job at just 27 years old last year, gave birth to her second child in May.
Two Frontrunners Emerge
Hours after Trump’s announcement, The New York Post reported that two frontrunners have emerged as potential successors: Alina Habba, a former defense lawyer for Trump and former acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, and Matthew Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for Breitbart News.
Administration sources told the Post that both are considered fierce loyalists to the president — and that either would likely be well-received by Trump’s base.
Habba rose to national prominence as one of Trump’s most passionate legal defenders, frequently appearing on television to make the case for the then-candidate before his return to the White House. She briefly served as a counselor to the president in the West Wing last year before Trump appointed her as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey.
Boyle, meanwhile, is described as a favorite among well-connected Trump allies who appreciate his steady and aggressive presence in conservative media. The veteran Breitbart journalist has covered the Trump movement closely and has conducted numerous interviews with the president, including a recent sitdown in the Oval Office. His investigative experience and familiarity with the press corps, the Post noted, give him a working knowledge of how to manage — and mitigate — public relations challenges.
Expect More Fire at the Podium
If White House press briefings were already contentious under Leavitt, both Habba and Boyle would likely escalate the intensity. Both are known for their firebrand personalities, particularly when confronting the left and corporate media outlets.
Leavitt’s tenure was marked by combative exchanges with reporters and a sometimes adversarial relationship with the press corps, a style that endeared her to Trump supporters but drew criticism from media watchdogs. Her successor is widely expected to continue that approach.
Other Names in the Mix
The Post also floated several other possible candidates, though they are considered much less likely to get the job. Those mentioned include:
- Taylor Budowich, a former White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel;
- Katie Miller, a former aide to Elon Musk at DOGE and wife of deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller;
- Anna Kelly, principal deputy press secretary;
- Monica Crowley, U.S. chief of protocol.
While these individuals have strong ties to the administration, sources told the Post that Habba and Boyle are the early favorites.
The decision on who takes the podium next is expected to be announced in the coming days, as the White House looks to maintain its aggressive communication strategy ahead of the midterm elections.
Source: www.thegatewaypundit.com — https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/two-fierce-trump-loyalists-have-emerged-as-frontrunners/