Trump loses a key piece: Karoline Leavitt's difficult succession

With just over 15 days to go, analyzes and possible names that could take his place are beginning to emerge. In an article by CNN International entitled "Why it may be impossible for Trump to replace Karoline Leavitt", the White House spokeswoman's career is analyzed, as well as the reasons why this replacement could be difficult.

"Donald Trump hardly needs anyone else to serve as spokesman," begins the article, which also highlights that, although the departure of a spokeswoman may seem "trivial" for a president, the case is different when it comes to the Trump-Leavitt duo. This is because, according to the analysis, leaving represents a "personal and political loss". "The void she will leave will highlight her role as a key member of the president's group of strategic advisors," it reads.

Leavitt has been in office since 2025, when Trump returned to be president of the United States, and was the youngest person to assume the role of spokesperson, at 27 years old. Before her, the record belonged to Ron Ziegler, who at the age of 29 became spokesman for Richard Nixon's presidency (1969-1974).

It is worth remembering that, during his first term, between 2017 and 2021, Trump maintained a conflictive relationship with the media, which he called "enemies of the people" and responsible for "fake news". At the time, he ordered the communications team to end the tradition of daily press conferences. Between March 2019 and January 2020, the White House spokesperson did not hold any press conferences.

This time, in his second term, Leavitt became one of the most well-known figures in the White House, since, "like his boss, he broke with the usual pattern of his position" and, by "tirelessly provoking journalists, exposed the fissures of traditional journalism in the age of social media", writes CNN International.

"His press conferences are less attempts to explain policy or convey coded messages to foreign leaders than Trump-style demonstrations of defiance," the publication describes.

Leavitt, who already came from the Trump campaign performing functions similar to those she currently performs, is also "very beloved" by MAGA supporters [Trump's movement and presidential motto: "Make America Great Again", or "Make America Great Again"]. The publication also highlights that Leavitt rarely answers questions directly, preferring to attack the motivations or ways of thinking of reporters who ended up relegated to the role of extras in Trump's "spectacle".

CNN adds that Trump's "fervor for conflict, his disregard for etiquette and his willingness to say outrageous things created an alchemy when his political rise coincided with the explosion of social media." The publication highlights that Trump "used new technology to inject his explosive personality into the country's political current, bypassing the traditional media that his predecessors used as a dissemination channel."

Given this analysis, it is considered that Trump may not even need another spokesperson. This is because, given Leavitt's characteristics, for which Trump has always shown appreciation, the US president may have difficulty finding the same combination of skills in another person. Even when Leavitt was still "just" being announced for the position, the then US president-elect was already describing her as "intelligent and tough". Two years later, it is possible to assess whether the prediction made in November 2024 was confirmed, when Trump stated: "I have every confidence that she will stand out and help convey our message to the American people as we Make America Great Again [MAGA]."

But who might succeed Leavitt?

There is still no official name on the table to replace Leavitt in the position, but some figures are already highlighted by the international press as possible successors or successors.

According to sources close to the administration interviewed by The New York Post, among the favorites for the position are Alina Habba, former acting federal prosecutor for New Jersey, and Matthew Boyle, head of the Washington bureau of Breitbart News, a US conservative media outlet.

Alina Habba gained prominence as one of Trump's defense lawyers before his return to the White House, especially in the case involving rape accusations made by E. Jean Carroll, a columnist who filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump for an episode that occurred in the 1990s. Currently, Trump has appealed to the Supreme Court after being ordered to pay around six million dollars to E. Jean Carroll.

Habba also worked with Trump before being appointed prosecutor in New Jersey — precisely as an advisor. Habba's profile would also follow the path adopted by Trump in his first term, when he appointed another lawyer, Kayleigh McEnany, as White House spokesperson.

Boyle, on the other hand, is one of the favorites among Trump's influential allies, according to the publication mentioned above. They recognize, according to the text, the Breitbart journalist's incisive stance within the conservative media.

Trump has already been interviewed by Boyle, including in the Oval Office. The journalist's experience with investigations involving public figures and the fact that he closely follows Trump's work can be a "plus" given the challenges related to public relations.

The publication states that other candidates may also include former White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, Taylor Budowich, who left the position in September to return to the private sector. Another possible name is the current White House communications director, Steven Cheung.

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