The White House briefing room is set to reopen Thursday for the first time in more than 40 days — but the Trump administration has not revealed who will take the podium.
A White House official confirmed the upcoming briefing to The Hill but did not identify the official who will face reporters.
Thursday’s appearance will be the first formal White House press briefing since July 23, when then-press secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded questions from the press corps. The White House’s official video archive confirms that was the administration’s most recent briefing.
NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Garrett Haake first noted Tuesday that the administration had reached the 40-day mark without a briefing. He later reported that a White House official had confirmed one would take place Thursday.
“No word on who will brief,” Haake wrote on X, noting that Cabinet officials and Vice President JD Vance previously took turns at the podium during Leavitt’s maternity leave.
Who Will Take The Podium?
The mystery comes just days after Leavitt completed her final day as White House press secretary, leaving President Donald Trump without a permanent podium spokesperson.
During Leavitt’s maternity leave, Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were among the senior administration officials who conducted briefings. That rotating arrangement could provide a preview of how the White House plans to handle Thursday’s event.
Trump has not appeared eager to rush his selection of a permanent replacement. Leavitt said during her final day that the president would continue speaking directly with reporters while he weighs his decision.
“I think it’s most important in this job to understand that President Trump is his own best spokesperson,” Leavitt told reporters, according to The Hill.
Trump Praises Leavitt’s Historic Run
Leavitt will remain in Trump’s orbit as an outside adviser and is returning to work with the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. ahead of the midterm elections.
The White House marked her departure with a glowing tribute, praising a tenure it said was defined by “command, clarity, and an unrelenting defense” of Trump’s America First agenda.
Trump called Leavitt “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.”
Potential successors floated publicly have included CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings and former New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, although Trump has not announced a decision.
Until then, all eyes will be on the briefing-room door Thursday to see who emerges as the administration’s next voice behind the podium.
