White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt will leave her post at the end of August, and speculation over her successor has become a media focus. Compiling reports from The Hill, Newsweek and others, U.S. President Trump responded on the 21st that since the departure was announced he had 'never seen so many job applications in my life,' while signaling the choice may be difficult.
On the 21st local time, before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump was asked who would replace Leavitt. He named CNN political commentator Scott Jennings, special assistant and communications adviser Margo Martin, and 'an anonymous friend from Iowa.' Trump said, 'Scott Jennings is good,' then asked reporters, 'What about Margo, what do you think of her?' Jokingly tossing the question back, he said, 'I don't know (the pick), maybe you.'
'Let me tell you, Carolyn would tell you, I've never seen so many job applications in my life,' Trump said. 'They all want this job.' Leavitt, standing beside him, nodded and said, 'There are a lot of options.'
Trump posted on social media on the 12th that Leavitt's reason for leaving was to spend more time with her children and family. Leavitt confirmed on social media that she decided to resign to care for her two young children, and Trump has invited her to continue as an 'outside senior adviser.'
Leavitt served as assistant White House press secretary during Trump's first term and was his spokeswoman throughout the 2024 campaign. After Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, the then-27-year-old Leavitt became press secretary, the youngest in U.S. history.
Source: Global Times | Original
