Trump Says Karoline Leavitt ‘Irreplaceable’ In Touching Interview
It’s clear that President Donald Trump has an affinity for his outgoing White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
The 28-year-old superstar announced last week that she would be stepping down from her position at the end of this month to spend more time with her young family, a decision that stunned many in D.C. – including, no doubt, the president.
In an interview on Monday with Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams, Trump joked about Leavitt’s departure while calling her irreplaceable.
“Is Karoline Leavitt replaceable?” McAdams asked.
“No, she’s not. She really isn’t. She’s standing right over there and she’s done a great job,” Trump said.
Then the president added in jest: “She actually likes her children more than she likes Trump. I’m very concerned about that.”
“It’s a lot to juggle, right? You said you support that. Going back, is there somebody you have in mind that you’D like to see up at the podium to take over?” McAdams pressed.
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“You. How about you? She could do the job. I think so,” Trump joked.
“What do you think, Karoline. I like it. I’ve always liked you. That’s why I’m doing this. I don’t do this that often. I get off, I make a speech, here I come, often we see Alexis. You have done a great job,” Trump continued.
WATCH:
Trump may have inadvertently revealed who he is leaning toward as Leavitt’s successor.
Trump spent last weekend at his Bedminster, New Jersey, estate, where he was joined by several members of his inner circle, including a figure whose name has recently surfaced in speculation surrounding the future of the White House press secretary position.
A video posted on social media showed the president attending a gathering with dozens of guests, including former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey and personal lawyer Alina Habba.
She has emerged as one of several names mentioned as a possible successor to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who announced this week that she was stepping down from the role.
Leavitt, 28, said balancing the demands of the job with raising two young children had become increasingly difficult after she returned to work following the birth of her second child, Viviana, on May 1.
Efforts to identify a replacement for Leavitt are expected to intensify as Republicans prepare for November’s midterm elections, which will determine control of both chambers of Congress.
Habba, 42, served as a member of Trump’s legal team during his New York civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The lawsuit accused Trump and his company of misrepresenting the value of financial assets.
In 2024, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled against Trump and ordered him to pay a judgment of more than $460 million.
In August 2025, a New York appellate court later overturned the ruling, marking a significant legal victory for Trump.
Habba, a New Jersey native, launched her law firm, Habba, Madaio and Associates LLP, in 2020, establishing offices in both Bedminster, New Jersey, and New York.
In March 2025, she was appointed acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, placing her in charge of overseeing federal criminal and civil prosecutions in the state.
Her tenure in the position ended in December 2025 after an appeals court determined that her appointment did not comply with federal requirements, forcing her to step down from the role.
“But do not mistake compliance for surrender,” she wrote in a statement shared on X. “This decision will not weaken the Justice Department, and it will not weaken me.”
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
