President Donald Trump suggested that Fox News reporter Alexis McAdams could serve as the next White House press secretary during a recent briefing.
The moment highlights the administration's unconventional approach to staffing and the fluid relationship between the U.S. presidency and major media figures.
The suggestion came after Karoline Leavitt announced she would step down from her position [3]. During the briefing, Trump singled out McAdams from the press corps to propose her for the vacancy.
"You. How about you?" Trump said [1].
Trump continued to suggest that McAdams possessed the necessary skills for the role. "She could do the job," Trump said [1].
Leavitt, who is leaving the role, holds a unique place in the history of the White House. At 28, she was the youngest person ever to hold the position of press secretary [3].
While the president's comments during the briefing were direct, the White House has not officially named a successor. The interaction occurred in front of the gathered press, turning a standard briefing into a public recruitment effort, a move consistent with the president's history of spontaneous personnel suggestions.
McAdams has been a regular presence in the White House press room covering the administration for Fox News. The transition from a reporting role to a government communications role is a path several previous press secretaries have taken, though rarely through a public invitation during a live event.
“"You. How about you?"”
This interaction underscores a preference for loyalty and familiarity in the administration's communications wing. By eyeing a reporter from a friendly network, the president signals a desire for a press secretary who understands the specific media dynamics of his base, while continuing to bypass traditional vetting and appointment processes.
