Washington – On Wednesday, Alina Habba, senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys, publicly rejected speculation that she might be tapped to succeed Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary. The 28‑year‑old, who recently returned from maternity leave, posted on X that she is “flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I’m not in the running for any job.” She added that if a new position were offered, she would prefer an anonymous tip first.
Background on the speculation
Karoline Leavitt, the current White House press secretary, announced earlier this month that she will step down at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. Her impending departure sparked a flurry of discussion among political observers and bettors on the Kalshi prediction‑market platform, which allows users to wager on the likelihood of future events.
At one point, Kalshi users assigned Habba a 35 % probability of being named Leavitt’s replacement. The market’s odds reflected earlier rumors that Habba, who served as a senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys and previously acted as a surrogate for former President Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign, might be considered for the role after Trump’s 2024 re‑election.
Habba’s career and recent roles
Habba’s résumé includes serving as Trump’s personal attorney, a brief stint as counselor to the president, and a short tenure as interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. After a federal appeals court ruled that her service as acting U.S. attorney was unlawful, she resigned and was later appointed senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys.
In addition to her legal work, Habba has been a visible figure in Trump‑aligned media appearances and campaign events. Her name resurfaced in the press‑secretary conversation when speculation emerged after the 2024 election, but she has consistently indicated that she would be “better served in other capacities” than the podium.
Other potential candidates
Following Habba’s denial, attention shifted to other names on the Kalshi market. CNN political commentator Scott Jennings quickly became the new betting favorite, with Leavitt’s deputy Anna Kelly trailing behind. Jennings, a former aide to President George W. Bush, was also mentioned as a possible press‑secretary pick after the 2024 election, though he was ultimately not selected at that time.
President Trump has praised Jennings’ recent book and called him a “patriot” who “gets it,” adding further intrigue to the speculation.
Official response
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the evolving situation but has not yet received a response. The outlet’s Ashley J. DiMella contributed to the reporting.
As the White House prepares for Leavitt’s departure, the search for a new press secretary remains open. While prediction markets and pundits continue to weigh in, the administration has not announced an official successor.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
