Karoline Leavitt's exit as White House press secretary and the search to replace her

Active · last development Nov 9, 2026: “Katie Zacharia auditioning again for White House press secretary — despite being fired after 5 days: sources”

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary, left the role in August 2026 after returning from maternity leave in July, saying she wanted more time with her two young children.[1][2][3]

See the timeline

She announced plans to work for President Donald Trump's , MAGA Inc., and Fox News later announced that she would become an on-air contributor beginning November 1.[4][5] Her successor, conservative commentator Katie Zacharia, faced questions about her legal background, and reports on October 16 said she was leaving after a five-day tenure.[6][7] In November Trump announced that he had offered the job to UFC chief executive Dana White, then said a day later that he had been joking, and the post remained vacant.[8]

Overview updated Nov 9, 2026

Photo from Bismarck Tribune, with President Trump holds White House press briefing with Dana White (Nov 7, 2026), the story with the most sources this week.
What this arc covers

Karoline Leavitt's exit as White House press secretary and the search to fill the job: her pregnancy, her maternity leave and the birth of her daughter in May 2026, her return to the briefing room podium in July, her announcement in August that she was leaving, her last day and her move to Fox News, the talk of who would replace her, including Scott Jennings, Trump's choice in October of the commentator Katie Zacharia, Zacharia's short first briefing and her ouster after five days, and Trump's November announcement that he had offered the job to UFC chief executive Dana White, which he said a day later was a joke.

Earliest story we hold Dec 26, 2025 · 31 stories · 179 sources (counted once each) · 318 days

Part ofKaroline LeavittKatie ZachariaDonald TrumpSean HannityAlina HabbaSusie WilesPeople's Republic of ChinaScott Jennings

Background

Leavitt prepared for maternity leave in late April 2026, holding a final press gaggle before her absence while other Trump administration officials were expected to handle briefings.[9] In early May, she announced the birth of her second child, a daughter named Viviana.[10] On July 16, she gave her first full briefing since going on leave, opening with, "Let's get back to work."[3]

Read the full background

On August 12, Leavitt announced that she would leave at the end of the month to spend time with her children, and Trump also announced her departure.[2] CNN subsequently reported that Trump was considering having Cabinet officials take turns handling briefings for an indefinite period after she left.[11] His former personal attorney Alina Habba said she was "not in the running" to replace her.[12] CNN reported that its commentator Scott Jennings was an early favorite, while stressing that the selection process was far from complete. Trump called Jennings a "good option."[13]

Later in August, Leavitt said she would work for MAGA Inc. after leaving the White House.[4] On her final day, August 27, she said there was "definitely a list" of potential successors but that no decision had been made.[14] Asked about advice for her successor, she said it was important to understand that Trump is his "own best spokesperson."[1] ABC's "The View" invited her to appear as a guest. The invitation was reported as a guest booking, rather than an agreement to join its panel.[15]

On October 5, Fox News announced that Leavitt would join as an on-air contributor starting November 1.[5] On October 9, a White House official confirmed to The Daily Signal that Trump had offered the press secretary job to Zacharia.[6] Coverage of her first briefing on October 13 focused on the few questions she took, and subsequent reporting questioned claims about her legal background.[6] On October 16, reports said she was leaving the position, and accounts described her tenure as lasting five days.[7] Leavitt then said she was helping Trump choose the next press secretary, a "tough job" that she said needed someone who could "put up a fight."[16]

On November 7, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior," had been offered the job of press secretary.[8] Reaction to the announcement was swift,[17] and the next day Trump said he "was only kidding," describing it as "just a little fun" to picture White in the briefing room. The two were still set to meet, but the job remained vacant.[8]

Supporting stories (17)
  1. Karoline Leavitt says Thursday was final day as White House Press Secretary
  2. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is Leaving the White House
  3. ‘Let’s get back to work’: Karoline Leavitt returns to the briefing room podium for the first time since maternity leave
  4. Karoline Leavitt reveals next role after leaving White House press secretary post
  5. Karoline Leavitt joining Fox News
  6. New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia defends her legal background and short first briefing
  7. Katie Zacharia is ousted after 5 days as White House press secretary
  8. President Trump holds White House press briefing with Dana White
  9. Press Secy Karoline Leavitt Goes on Maternity Leave, Legacy Media Act Like They're the Ones Having a Baby
  10. Karoline Leavitt announces birth of baby girl
  11. Trump weighs a plan for press briefings when Leavitt leaves, sources say
  12. Alina Habba says she's 'not in the running' to replace Leavitt
  13. Scott Jennings emerges as early favorite to replace Karoline Leavitt but process is just beginning
  14. Leavitt talks about what's next for her on last day at White House
  15. ABC’s ‘The View’ invites Karoline Leavitt to appear as a guest
  16. Leavitt Delivers Blunt Verdict on Zacharia’s Brief Press Secretary Stint
  17. Reaction fast, furious as Trump offers Dana White press secretary

Overview updated Nov 9, 2026

Where it standsnewest first · each bar runs left to right by leaning

Nov 9– 102026Katie Zacharia auditioning again for White House press secretary — despite being fired after 5 days: sources4 articles · 4 sources
1 left, 0 center, 3 right
Nov 72026Reaction fast, furious as Trump offers Dana White press secretary5 articles · 5 sources
2 left, 2 center, 1 right
Nov 7– 102026President Trump holds White House press briefing with Dana White257 articles · 88 sources
23 left, 35 center, 22 right

Key momentsthe most covered; every story is below

  1. Dec 26 – 27, 2025Karoline Leavitt announces she is pregnant with her second child29 articles · 19 sources
  2. Aug 12 – 15, 2026Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is Leaving the White House311 articles · 134 sources
    1. Aug 12, 2026White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt leaving role, Trump announces
    2. Aug 13, 2026Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, to depart White House
    3. Aug 14, 2026Who will replace Karoline Leavitt? Top contenders emerge
  3. Aug 20 – 21, 2026Scott Jennings emerges as early favorite to replace Karoline Leavitt but process is just beginning12 articles · 12 sources
  4. Oct 5 – 6, 2026Karoline Leavitt joining Fox News81 articles · 58 sources
  5. Oct 9 – 15, 2026New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia defends her legal background and short first briefing310 articles · 107 sources
    1. Oct 9, 2026Katie Zacharia appointed White House press secretary, taking spot of Karoline Leavitt, Trump says
    2. Oct 11, 2026Trump says new press secretary to hold first press conference next week
    3. Oct 14, 2026Katie Zacharia’s debut shows the pitfalls and possibilities of White House press secretary’s role
    4. Oct 14, 2026Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia faces scrutiny over claims she’s a lawyer
    5. Oct 15, 2026What we know about Katie Zacharia’s legal work in China
  6. Oct 11 – 18, 2026Katie Zacharia is ousted after 5 days as White House press secretary276 articles · 115 sources
    1. Oct 13, 2026Zacharia's first spin at White House podium draws rocky reviews
    2. Oct 14, 2026Only left-leaning coverage:New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia claims to have passed bar in China
    3. Oct 15, 2026Trump urges Katie Zacharia to reconsider press secretary job after less than a week at the White House
    4. Oct 17, 2026Katie Zacharia shares Instagram post praising Trump after being fired as White House press secretary
  7. Nov 7 – 10, 2026President Trump holds White House press briefing with Dana White257 articles · 88 sources

Who covered it, over timeshare of the sources publishing each week, by side

Dec 22, 2025 - Nov 15, 2026

Share of the sources publishing each week that covered it

0%10%20%30%40%50%
Arrow keys move between weeks.
Dec 22, 2025Apr 6, 2026Jul 27, 2026Nov 9, 2026

LeftCenterRight

Week of Nov 9, 2026 - Nov 15, 2026: 14 left, 20 center, 15 right, 11% of the sources that published that week · 114 articles

Show every week as a table
WeekLeftCenterRightArticlesShare
Dec 22, 2025 - Dec 28, 20253972914%
Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 4, 202600000%
Jan 5, 2026 - Jan 11, 202600000%
Jan 12, 2026 - Jan 18, 202600000%
Jan 19, 2026 - Jan 25, 202600000%
Jan 26, 2026 - Feb 1, 202600000%
Feb 2, 2026 - Feb 8, 202600000%
Feb 9, 2026 - Feb 15, 202600000%
Feb 16, 2026 - Feb 22, 202600000%
Feb 23, 2026 - Mar 1, 202600000%
Mar 2, 2026 - Mar 8, 202600000%
Mar 9, 2026 - Mar 15, 202600000%
Mar 16, 2026 - Mar 22, 202600000%
Mar 23, 2026 - Mar 29, 202600000%
Mar 30, 2026 - Apr 5, 202600000%
Apr 6, 2026 - Apr 12, 202600000%
Apr 13, 2026 - Apr 19, 202600000%
Apr 20, 2026 - Apr 26, 202600563%
Apr 27, 2026 - May 3, 202600000%
May 4, 2026 - May 10, 202614495%
May 11, 2026 - May 17, 202600000%
May 18, 2026 - May 24, 202600000%
May 25, 2026 - May 31, 202600000%
Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 7, 202600000%
Jun 8, 2026 - Jun 14, 202600000%
Jun 15, 2026 - Jun 21, 202600000%
Jun 22, 2026 - Jun 28, 202600000%
Jun 29, 2026 - Jul 5, 202600000%
Jul 6, 2026 - Jul 12, 202600000%
Jul 13, 2026 - Jul 19, 2026082102%
Jul 20, 2026 - Jul 26, 202600000%
Jul 27, 2026 - Aug 2, 202600000%
Aug 3, 2026 - Aug 9, 202600000%
Aug 10, 2026 - Aug 16, 202629554229923%
Aug 17, 2026 - Aug 23, 20261117354%
Aug 24, 2026 - Aug 30, 20260189376%
Aug 31, 2026 - Sep 6, 202600000%
Sep 7, 2026 - Sep 13, 202600000%
Sep 14, 2026 - Sep 20, 202600000%
Sep 21, 2026 - Sep 27, 202600000%
Sep 28, 2026 - Oct 4, 202600000%
Oct 5, 2026 - Oct 11, 202624372118717%
Oct 12, 2026 - Oct 18, 202638512849024%
Oct 19, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026549264%
Oct 26, 2026 - Nov 1, 202600000%
Nov 2, 2026 - Nov 8, 202619281513413%
Nov 9, 2026 - Nov 15, 202614201511411%

Stories before June 28, 2026 come from archived pages, so who covered them is limited to the outlets we recovered for that period.

28% left · 42% center · 30% right of 179 sources on the spectrum, across 31 stories.

Every storynewest first

  1. November 2026

    2. Nov 7Reaction fast, furious as Trump offers Dana White press secretary5 articles · 5 sources
      2 left, 2 center, 1 right
    3. Nov 7– 10President Trump holds White House press briefing with Dana White257 articles · 88 sources
      23 left, 35 center, 22 right

  2. October 2026

    1. Oct 22– 24Leavitt Delivers Blunt Verdict on Zacharia’s Brief Press Secretary Stint11 articles · 11 sources
      2 left, 4 center, 4 right
    3. Oct 18– 20What happened to Trump’s short-lived press secretary, Katie Zacharia?7 articles · 7 sources
      2 left, 0 center, 5 right
    4. Oct 16– 17Capehart and Continetti on the press secretary's quick exit2 articles · 2 sources
      2 left, 0 center, 0 right
    5. Oct 16– 17Anthony Scaramucci Reacts To Katie Zacharia’s White House Tenure Being Shorter Than His: “Records Are Made To Be Broken”4 articles · 4 sources
      1 left, 1 center, 1 right
    6. Oct 16– 18Texts Show Zacharia Sought Interview with Hannity, Debunking Politico's Claim Wiles Set It Up3 articles · 3 sources
      0 left, 1 center, 2 right
    7. Oct 15– 17China invites Katie Zacharia to visit again after she claims nation lacks ‘proper toilets’11 articles · 11 sources
      2 left, 9 center, 0 right
    8. Oct 14Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia breaks silence after getting torched3 articles · 3 sources
      2 left, 1 center, 0 right
    9. Oct 14Katie Zacharia stepped to the lectern for the first time. It was a bumpy ride.2 articles · 2 sources
      2 left, 0 center, 0 right
    11. Oct 11– 18Katie Zacharia is ousted after 5 days as White House press secretary276 articles · 115 sources
      34 left, 46 center, 26 right
    12. Oct 9– 10White House has found replacement for Karoline Leavitt as press secretary3 articles · 3 sources
      0 left, 0 center, 3 right
    13. Oct 9– 10Ticker: Former WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Joins Fox News2 articles · 2 sources
      0 left, 2 center, 0 right
    14. Oct 9– 15New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia defends her legal background and short first briefing310 articles · 107 sources
      33 left, 43 center, 23 right
    15. Oct 5Karoline Leavitt’s post-White House gig is revealed — here’s her reaction3 articles · 3 sources
      2 left, 1 center, 0 right
    16. Oct 5– 6Karoline Leavitt joining Fox News81 articles · 58 sources
      12 left, 28 center, 14 right

  3. August 2026

    1. Aug 27– 28ABC’s ‘The View’ invites Karoline Leavitt to appear as a guest11 articles · 11 sources
      0 left, 8 center, 3 right
    2. Aug 26– 28Karoline Leavitt says Thursday was final day as White House Press Secretary12 articles · 10 sources
      0 left, 5 center, 5 right
    3. Aug 24– 27Leavitt talks about what's next for her on last day at White House13 articles · 6 sources
      0 left, 5 center, 1 right
    4. Aug 21– 24Karoline Leavitt reveals next role after leaving White House press secretary post10 articles · 9 sources
      1 left, 2 center, 5 right
    5. Aug 20– 21Scott Jennings emerges as early favorite to replace Karoline Leavitt but process is just beginning12 articles · 12 sources
      0 left, 9 center, 3 right
    6. Aug 20– 21Alina Habba says she's 'not in the running' to replace Leavitt7 articles · 7 sources
      0 left, 2 center, 5 right
    7. Aug 17Trump weighs a plan for press briefings when Leavitt leaves, sources say8 articles · 8 sources
      0 left, 7 center, 1 right
    8. Aug 12– 15Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is Leaving the White House311 articles · 134 sources
      29 left, 55 center, 42 right

  4. July 2026

  5. May 2026

    1. May 7Karoline Leavitt announces birth of baby girl9 articles · 9 sources
      1 left, 4 center, 4 right

  6. April 2026

  1. December 2025

    1. Dec 26– 27Karoline Leavitt announces she is pregnant with her second child29 articles · 19 sources
      3 left, 9 center, 7 right