US President Donald Trump has appeared to float Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams as a possible successor to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is set to leave her position at the end of August.

During a Fox News interview, Trump was asked by McAdams whether Leavitt could be replaced. He praised his press secretary and said she would be difficult to replace, before joking about her decision to step away from the White House to spend more time with her children.

Trump Suggests Fox Reporter For Press Secretary Role

McAdams asked Trump who he would like to see take over the White House podium once Leavitt leaves.

Trump responded by asking, “You?” before adding, “How about you?” appearing to suggest the Fox News correspondent as a potential replacement.

Trump then sought Leavitt’s reaction to the suggestion while she was standing nearby and continued to praise McAdams’ work.

“I’ve always liked you,” Trump told McAdams, adding that she could do the job.

The exchange was notable because Trump has not publicly announced a successor to Leavitt. McAdams had asked whether the President wanted to “make news” during the interview, and his response introduced her name into speculation over who could take over the White House briefing room.

Trump Jokes About Leavitt Choosing Family

Before suggesting McAdams as her possible successor, Trump praised Leavitt and said replacing her would be difficult.

He also made a light-hearted reference to her decision to leave the administration to spend more time with her two young children.

“I found out Karoline Leavitt likes her children more than she likes Trump, I’m very concerned about that,” Trump said.

Leavitt announced earlier this week that she would leave her position at the end of August, saying she wanted to devote more time to her family.

Trump has publicly supported her decision and said she would continue to serve as one of his top outside advisers after leaving the White House.

Leavitt To Leave After Maternity Leave

Leavitt gave birth to her second child on May 1 and returned to the White House podium on July 16 following maternity leave, although she had resumed some work several weeks earlier.

Her departure will mark a change at one of the most visible positions in Trump’s second administration. As press secretary, Leavitt has regularly appeared at the White House briefing room podium and has been a prominent defender of the President’s policies.

Trump has not yet formally announced who will replace her, leaving the White House without a confirmed successor as her departure approaches.

Iran Claims Add To Speculation Over Exit

Leavitt’s decision to leave has also generated online speculation over whether it could be connected to an earlier incident involving Trump’s travel from Turkey.

The Iranian Embassy in South Africa linked Leavitt’s departure to a reported aircraft switch involving Trump during his July 8 departure from Ankara. It alleged that Trump left Leavitt behind while he moved to another aircraft following a reported security threat.

The White House said Leavitt was not aboard the flight involved in the incident. Trump has said security and military officials instructed him to use another aircraft after authorities identified what they considered a credible threat involving Iran.

Leavitt, however, has cited her family as the reason for stepping down. Trump has also said he respects her decision and expects her to remain politically involved as an outside adviser.

The White House has yet to announce a formal replacement for Leavitt.

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