Who is replacing Karoline Leavitt remains one of the key questions surrounding the Trump administration’s communications operation, but the latest confirmed information is clear: President Donald Trump has not appointed a permanent White House press secretary to take Leavitt’s former position. Leavitt left the post in August, and the White House continues to operate without a permanent successor.
The situation has gained fresh attention because Leavitt has now secured her next major media role. Fox News announced October 5 that the former White House press secretary will join the network as an on-air contributor beginning November 1.
Her departure created a vacancy at one of the most prominent communications positions in the federal government. The White House has continued using its broader communications staff and other officials while the press secretary position remains open.
That distinction is important because several people have taken on press-related responsibilities since Leavitt left. However, none has been formally announced as the new White House press secretary.
Karoline Leavitt Has Left the White House Press Secretary Position
Karoline Leavitt served as President Donald Trump’s White House press secretary from the beginning of his second administration in January 2025 until August 2026.
Her departure ended a high-profile tenure that made her one of the most recognizable members of Trump’s White House.
Leavitt became the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary. During her time behind the briefing-room podium, she regularly defended Trump’s policies and responded to questions from reporters on major domestic and international issues.
Her communication style became a defining part of the administration’s public messaging.
Leavitt announced that she was leaving the position after the birth of her second child. She said the demands of the job made it difficult to balance her responsibilities as a mother with the intense schedule required of the White House press secretary.
Trump supported her decision and praised her work in the administration.
Leavitt’s final period in office also came after she returned from maternity leave. Once she departed, attention immediately shifted to the question of who would take over the position.
The White House did not announce a successor at the time of her departure.
The White House Still Has No Permanent Press Secretary
As of October 5, 2026, the White House has not announced a permanent replacement for Leavitt.
That means the central question has a straightforward answer: there is currently no confirmed new White House press secretary.
The administration has continued its communications work despite the vacancy.
Other members of the communications team have remained active, while senior administration officials have continued speaking with reporters. The president himself also regularly interacts with members of the press.
The absence of a permanent press secretary therefore has not stopped the White House from communicating its policies.
It does mean, however, that there is no single officially designated successor occupying the position Leavitt held.
This distinction is especially important when evaluating reports about possible replacements. A person joining the communications staff does not automatically become the White House press secretary.
Beni Rae Harmony Has Joined the White House Communications Team
A recent personnel change has added another name to the White House press operation, but it does not fill Leavitt’s former position.
Beni Rae Harmony has joined the Trump administration as an assistant White House press secretary.
Harmony previously worked as a White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice. Her move takes her from covering the administration as a journalist to working inside the administration’s communications operation.
Her appointment was announced in early October.
The White House described Harmony as an addition to Trump’s communications team. Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly welcomed her to the administration.
Harmony’s appointment has generated attention because she had already become a familiar face among journalists covering Trump.
She has traveled with the president and covered his administration before joining his team.
Her new position gives the White House another communications official, but it does not change the status of the top press secretary job.
Harmony is an assistant press secretary, not the replacement for Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary.
That distinction should remain clear in any discussion about the vacancy.
Why Beni Rae Harmony Is Not Leavitt’s Replacement
The confusion surrounding the White House communications team largely comes from the similarity between different titles.
The administration has several communications positions. The White House press secretary is the senior public spokesperson responsible for the press secretary role.
An assistant press secretary works within the broader communications operation and can perform important media responsibilities.
Those positions are not interchangeable.
Harmony’s appointment means the White House has added another communications official. It does not mean Trump has selected her to become the permanent press secretary.
No announcement has established Harmony as Leavitt’s successor.
Therefore, readers looking for the latest answer should not treat the recent appointment as confirmation that the White House press secretary vacancy has been filled.
Anna Kelly Remains Part of the White House Communications Operation
Anna Kelly is another important figure in the administration’s communications structure.
Kelly serves as principal deputy press secretary and has remained involved in White House messaging following Leavitt’s departure.
Her position places her among the senior officials working on the administration’s media operation.
Kelly has also publicly addressed personnel matters involving the communications team, including Harmony’s appointment.
However, Kelly has not been announced as the permanent White House press secretary.
Her continued work illustrates how the administration can maintain a functioning communications operation even without filling the top position immediately.
The White House has several officials who can communicate with journalists, prepare responses and assist with presidential messaging.
That structure allows the administration to continue its work while the press secretary position remains vacant.
Leavitt’s Departure Did Not End the White House Press Operation
The White House press office is larger than the person standing behind the briefing-room podium.
A press secretary serves as the most visible spokesperson, but a presidential communications team includes multiple employees who handle media relations, statements, messaging and coordination.
When Leavitt left, those responsibilities did not disappear.
The administration continued using its communications personnel while senior officials appeared before reporters.
Trump has also continued to speak directly to journalists during events, travel and other public appearances.
This has allowed the administration to maintain a steady flow of public communication despite the lack of a permanent press secretary.
The arrangement also explains why the vacancy has remained manageable.
A White House does not stop communicating simply because the press secretary job is open.
The Search for a Successor Began Before Leavitt Left
The question of Leavitt’s replacement emerged before she officially departed.
Trump had not finalized his decision when Leavitt approached her final day.
Leavitt herself said she had discussed potential candidates with the president. That showed the administration was already considering the future of the position before her departure.
Still, those discussions did not result in a public appointment.
The lack of a successor continued after Leavitt left the White House.
That makes the current situation different from a normal transition in which an outgoing press secretary leaves at the same time a successor takes over.
Instead, the administration has operated with an open top position while maintaining the rest of the communications structure.
Several Names Have Been Reported, But None Is Confirmed
Media coverage has identified multiple people as possible contenders for the position since Leavitt announced her departure.
Among the names discussed have been White House officials and outside political figures with communications experience.
However, reports about potential candidates do not constitute an appointment.
The White House has not announced that any of those individuals has become the new press secretary.
For that reason, the safest and most accurate description remains that the job is vacant.
This also prevents confusion between candidates who may have been considered and people who actually hold government positions.
The current White House communications team includes officials with different responsibilities, but the top press secretary role has not been publicly assigned.
Scott Jennings Has Been Linked to the Position
Scott Jennings has received significant attention in coverage of the replacement search.
Jennings is a Republican strategist and television commentator who has been associated with conservative politics for years.
His media experience would make him familiar with television interviews and political messaging.
However, being discussed as a possible candidate does not make him the White House press secretary.
Trump has not announced Jennings as Leavitt’s successor.
Therefore, readers should not describe Jennings as the new White House press secretary unless the administration formally announces such a change.
The latest confirmed status remains unchanged.
The position is open.
Why the Vacancy Matters
The White House press secretary position carries unusual visibility.
The person holding the job must respond to reporters, explain administration policies and defend the president’s decisions.
The role also requires close coordination with other White House officials.
A permanent press secretary can establish a consistent media strategy and become the administration’s most recognizable spokesperson apart from the president.
Leavitt developed a particularly visible profile during her time in the role.
Her regular appearances at the briefing podium made her a central figure in the Trump administration’s communications strategy.
Replacing such a prominent official is therefore more than a routine personnel change.
The eventual appointment will determine who becomes the administration’s primary official voice when the president is not personally addressing reporters.
Leavitt’s New Fox News Role Adds a New Chapter
While the White House has not selected her replacement, Leavitt’s professional future is now clear.
Fox News announced October 5 that she will join the network as an on-air contributor.
Her new role begins November 1.
She will provide commentary across Fox News programming and bring her experience from both the Trump administration and the presidential campaign trail to the network.
The appointment gives Leavitt a prominent national media platform after her departure from government.
It also means she will remain involved in political commentary even though she is no longer serving inside the White House.
Leavitt’s new position does not affect the status of her former government job.
The White House press secretary position remains separate from her new media role.
Leavitt Remains a Major Figure in Trump Politics
Leaving the White House did not erase Leavitt’s connection to Trump’s political operation.
During her time as press secretary, she became one of the administration’s strongest public defenders.
She frequently appeared in interviews and addressed political issues beyond the formal White House briefing schedule.
Her departure was linked to her desire to spend more time with her family, but she indicated that she would remain supportive of Trump and his political agenda.
Her move to Fox News provides another way for her to remain active in political discussion.
For the White House, however, her departure created a leadership gap in its press operation.
That gap has still not been filled by a permanent appointee.
How the White House Is Handling Media Duties
The administration has several options for communicating with the public without a permanent press secretary.
Senior officials can conduct briefings or speak to reporters at official events.
The communications team can also issue statements and coordinate responses to media inquiries.
Trump frequently communicates directly with reporters, which gives the White House another prominent channel for delivering its message.
The administration has therefore continued functioning without a single official occupying Leavitt’s former seat.
This approach does not necessarily mean the press secretary position has been eliminated.
It simply means the White House has not announced who will permanently hold it.
The Difference Between a Press Secretary and an Assistant Press Secretary
Understanding the titles helps explain why recent personnel changes have not answered the replacement question.
A White House press secretary serves as the administration’s primary spokesperson to the White House press corps.
An assistant press secretary works as part of the broader communications operation and supports the administration’s media strategy.
The assistant position can involve significant public-facing responsibilities.
Nevertheless, it is not the same job.
Beni Rae Harmony’s recent appointment illustrates this distinction.
She has joined the White House as an assistant press secretary, while the main press secretary position remains vacant.
That means her appointment should not be presented as the official replacement for Leavitt.
What Is Confirmed as of October 5, 2026?
The current situation can be summarized in a few key points:
| Question | Current status |
|---|---|
| Has Karoline Leavitt left the White House? | Yes |
| Is Leavitt still the White House press secretary? | No |
| Has Trump appointed a permanent successor? | No |
| Is the press secretary position vacant? | Yes |
| Has Beni Rae Harmony joined the communications team? | Yes |
| Is Harmony the new White House press secretary? | No |
| Is Anna Kelly still part of the senior press operation? | Yes |
| Is Scott Jennings confirmed as press secretary? | No |
| Does Leavitt have a new professional role? | Yes |
| When does Leavitt begin at Fox News? | November 1, 2026 |
The table highlights the central fact: the White House has not yet named a permanent replacement for Leavitt.
What Readers Should Watch for Next
The next major development will be an official White House announcement naming a new press secretary.
Until that happens, reports about individual candidates should be separated from confirmed personnel decisions.
A person can be considered for the job without receiving it.
Likewise, joining the White House communications team does not automatically mean that someone has become press secretary.
The recent appointment of Harmony demonstrates why those distinctions matter.
The administration has continued adding and using communications personnel, but the top position remains unfilled.
That could change with a presidential announcement, but no such appointment has been confirmed as of October 5.
Karoline Leavitt’s Legacy in the Role
Leavitt’s tenure was notable for several reasons.
She entered the job at a young age and quickly became one of Trump’s most visible advisers.
Her briefings attracted substantial attention because of her direct and combative exchanges with reporters.
She also became an important television and social media presence for the administration.
Leavitt’s approach reflected a broader shift in White House communications toward direct engagement with conservative media, online personalities and newer forms of political media.
Her departure therefore leaves behind a recognizable communications style that her successor will eventually inherit.
The next permanent press secretary will also face the challenge of establishing an individual identity while representing the same administration.
Who Is Replacing Karoline Leavitt Right Now?
The factual answer remains simple: no one has officially replaced Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary.
Beni Rae Harmony has joined the administration as an assistant press secretary, while Anna Kelly continues to serve in a senior communications role.
Other officials have also helped the White House communicate with reporters.
But none of those developments represents the appointment of a permanent successor to Leavitt’s former position.
Leavitt herself has now moved toward her next career chapter. Her Fox News role begins November 1, giving her a new platform for political commentary after leaving the White House.
For now, the administration’s communications structure remains active without a permanent press secretary.
The next official appointment will determine who ultimately takes over the high-profile position Leavitt held for more than a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is replacing Karoline Leavitt?
No permanent replacement has been announced. The White House press secretary position remains vacant as of October 5, 2026.
Is Beni Rae Harmony replacing Karoline Leavitt?
No. Harmony has joined the Trump administration as an assistant press secretary. Her position is different from the White House press secretary role previously held by Leavitt.
Is Scott Jennings the new White House press secretary?
No. Jennings has been discussed in reporting about possible candidates, but Trump has not officially appointed him to the position.
Who is handling White House communications now?
The White House continues to rely on its communications staff and senior officials. Anna Kelly remains a senior member of the press operation, while other officials also participate in media activities.
When did Karoline Leavitt leave the White House?
Leavitt left the White House press secretary position in August 2026 after serving as Trump’s press secretary since January 2025.
Why did Karoline Leavitt leave the press secretary position?
Leavitt said she wanted to spend more time with her family following the birth of her second child. The demanding nature of the press secretary job was a major factor in her decision.
What is Karoline Leavitt doing now?
Fox News announced October 5 that Leavitt will join the network as an on-air contributor beginning November 1, 2026.
Has Donald Trump announced when he will choose a replacement?
No confirmed date for an appointment has been announced.
Is the White House press secretary position still vacant?
Yes. The latest confirmed information shows that Trump has not appointed a permanent successor to Leavitt.
Will Beni Rae Harmony become the White House press secretary?
There is no confirmed announcement that Harmony will take the top press secretary position. Her current appointment is as an assistant press secretary.
The most important update remains unchanged: Karoline Leavitt has left the White House, but her permanent successor has not yet been officially named.
As the White House communications team evolves, readers can stay informed by watching for the next confirmed appointment from the administration.