Alina Habba shut down speculation that she would succeed Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, posting on X that she is "not in the running for any job", and the prediction markets moved fast.

Habba, who currently serves as senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys, had been the top pick among bettors on the prediction market platform Kalshi, drawing a 35 percent chance of being named Leavitt's successor. That number collapsed after her Wednesday post, and CNN political commentator Scott Jennings, a former aide to President George W. Bush, jumped to the front of the line, Fox News Digital reported.

Leavitt's deputy, Anna Kelly, settled into the second spot on Kalshi behind Jennings. The White House has not announced a replacement, and Fox News Digital said it had reached out for comment with no response noted.

The jockeying started earlier this month when Leavitt, 28, announced she would leave the podium at the end of August. She said the demands of the job were incompatible with being the kind of mother she wanted to be to her two young children, including daughter Viviana, born May 1, 2026. Leavitt made history as the youngest White House press secretary when she took the role on Inauguration Day in January 2025 at age 27.

Habba swats down the rumor, and takes a shot at "fake news"

Habba's post left little room for interpretation. She acknowledged the Kalshi odds but made clear she had no interest in the role, and no knowledge of any offer.

"Flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I'm not in the running for any job. However, if I'm getting a new one, I'd love for one of these anonymous sources to let me know first. Fake news remains the undefeated champ...well...until I come at them."

It was not the first time Habba had fielded press secretary speculation. After Trump won re-election in 2024, her name surfaced for the briefing room job. She said at the time that she was "flattered" but believed she would "be better served in other capacities." Leavitt was ultimately selected.

Since then, Habba has cycled through several high-profile government posts. She served just over two months as counselor to the president before moving to the Justice Department, where she was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. A federal appeals court later upheld a ruling that her service as acting U.S. attorney was unlawful, and she resigned from the position. She was subsequently named to her current advisory role under the attorney general.

That legal setback did not end her influence inside the administration. Before entering government, Habba served as Trump's personal attorney and was one of his most visible campaign surrogates during the 2024 race. Her public profile, combative, media-savvy, and loyal to Trump, is precisely what made the press secretary speculation plausible to begin with.

Jennings rises as the new Kalshi favorite, with a Trump endorsement in his pocket

Scott Jennings is not an obvious pick on paper. He is a CNN political commentator, which would make him an unusual choice for a White House that has sparred relentlessly with the network. But Jennings has built a reputation as one of the few right-of-center voices willing to fight on hostile terrain, and Trump has noticed.

The president has touted Jennings' recent book and referred to him as a "patriot" who "gets it." Those are not throwaway compliments from a president who prizes personal loyalty and media instincts above résumé credentials. Jennings was also reportedly considered for the press secretary role after the 2024 election, before Leavitt got the nod.

The Washington Examiner noted that Anna Kelly, 29, has been increasingly representing the White House on television and radio as Leavitt's principal deputy press secretary. Other names floated include Pentagon-linked figures Kingsley Wilson and Sean Parnell. Trump may also opt not to fill the role immediately, as was the case during Leavitt's earlier maternity leave.

The New York Post reported that Breitbart Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle is also considered a front-runner. A White House source told the outlet that Trump has not yet decided on a replacement, leaving the door open for senior officials to conduct sporadic briefings in the interim.

Trump praised Leavitt as "one of the best", but the bench is deep

President Trump announced Leavitt's departure on Truth Social, calling her "one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office" and noting she would continue as an outside adviser. Leavitt herself framed the decision in personal terms.

"I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary."

Leavitt's exit is the latest in a string of departures from the Trump White House. Deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson recently left for a GOP strategy firm, and other senior staffers have moved on as well.

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who knows the demands of the briefing room firsthand, told Fox News Digital that the selection will come down to one thing above all else.

"The next press secretary will undoubtedly be someone who has a strong existing relationship with President Trump."

That standard narrows the field considerably. Just The News reported that media analysts are already gaming out the transition, a sign that political circles expect the decision soon. Personnel changes at the White House have drawn steady attention this year, including the departure of deputy national security adviser Andy Baker after a three-year run.

Whoever takes the podium will inherit a role that demands equal parts policy fluency, combativeness, and loyalty. Leavitt set a high bar. The next press secretary will be judged not by prediction market odds but by whether they can meet it.