Who will be the next White House Press Secretary after Trump fired Katie Zacharia? 5 probable names

The White House is looking for a new press secretary after President Donald Trump fired Katie Zacharia just five days into her appointment. Her sudden departure has reopened the race for one of the administration’s most visible jobs. The next spokesperson will face the task of answering reporters’ questions while defending Trump and his policies.

Several popular names from the president’s circle could be in the running, including current White House staffers, conservative media figures and longtime Trump allies, as per a report by The Guardian.

Who are the possible candidates to replace Katie Zacharia?

1. Stephen Cheung

Stephen Cheung, the White House communications director, is one possible candidate. He has worked closely with former press secretary Karoline Leavitt during Trump’s second administration.

Cheung was still serving as communications director when Zacharia left the role. His experience working alongside Leavitt could make him a potential choice for the administration.

Leavitt previously joked on social media that she and Cheung had survived “many, many news cycles” together.



2. Anna Kelly

Anna Kelly already works in the White House as principal deputy press secretary. She served under Leavitt and has experience in Republican political communications. She was a spokesperson for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign also served as national press secretary for the RNC. Her existing role puts her among the names to watch as the administration considers its next move.

3. Katie Miller

Katie Miller is another potential contender with experience in political communications. She has served as press secretary to former vice president Mike Pence from 2019 to 2021.

She later became communications director for the Department of Government Efficiency before launching her conservative podcast. Miller is married to Stephen Miller, a senior White House aide known for his role in shaping immigration policy. Her work interviewing cabinet officials and conservative media figures has also kept her connected to the administration’s political circle.



4. Scott Jennings

A conservative commentator and Trump ally, he has often defended the president and his administration on television and online.

He currently works as an on-air political contributor for CNN. Jennings was reportedly considered for the press secretary position after Leavitt left but was ultimately passed over in favor of Zacharia. His name could come up again as the White House looks for a replacement.



5. Alina Habba

Alina Habba has also been mentioned as a possible candidate. She previously worked as Trump’s personal lawyer before becoming a federal prosecutor for New Jersey. A federal judge later ruled that her appointment was unlawful. Habba remains a vocal defender of Trump on conservative media outlets. The New York Post reported, citing administration sources, that she was an early contender to replace Leavitt.

However, Habba dismissed the speculation in August, saying she was not in the running for the job at that time.

Another familiar face could return

Taylor Budowich is also worth watching, although he is not included among the five main possibilities. The former White House deputy chief of staff worked alongside Stephen Miller and Dan Scavino before leaving the administration for the private sector last year.

Budowich and Leavitt were among the defendants in a case brought by the Associated Press after the outlet was barred from the White House press rotation over its refusal to use the term “Gulf of America.”

In the meantime, Laura Loomer is apparently also eyeing the role just after Zacharia was out as the Press Secretary.


These five individuals bring different backgrounds, from government communications to conservative media and legal work. The next appointment will determine who takes over the daily task of speaking for Trump’s administration.