Alina Habba has firmly dismissed speculation that she could replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, puncturing the latest burst of Beltway guesswork surrounding President Donald Trump's communications team.

The rumor gained traction as Leavitt prepared to leave the podium at the end of August.

The 28 year old press secretary recently returned from maternity leave and said she wanted to devote more time to her two young children.

Leavitt's departure has triggered a closely watched search for a successor, particularly as the Trump administration approaches crucial midterm elections.

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The next press secretary will inherit the daily task of confronting an openly hostile establishment press corps.

Habba quickly emerged as a favorite among bettors using the prediction market platform Kalshi. At one point, traders gave her a 35 percent chance of receiving the appointment, even though public betting enthusiasm was apparently running ahead of reality.

Habba ended the chatter Wednesday with a direct post on X. "Flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I'm not in the running for any job," she wrote.

She then took a familiar swing at the anonymous sourcing that fuels Washington speculation.

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"However, if I'm getting a new one, I'd love for one of these anonymous sources to let me know first," she continued.

"Fake news remains the undefeated champ…well…until I come at them."

Habba currently serves as senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys.

Her legal background, fierce defense of Trump, and willingness to challenge hostile media narratives made her an easy name for political watchers to place near the top of the list.

This is not the first time Habba has been floated for the press secretary position.

After Trump's 2024 election victory, she said she was "flattered" by the possibility but believed she would "be better served in other capacities."

She later served for slightly more than two months as counselor to the president before becoming interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey.

A federal appeals court eventually upheld a ruling that her later service as acting U.S. attorney was unlawful.

Habba resigned from that position and was subsequently appointed senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys.

Before entering the administration, she served as Trump's personal attorney and became a high profile surrogate during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.

With Habba publicly removing herself from consideration, CNN political commentator Scott Jennings moved into the top position among Kalshi bettors.

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Leavitt's deputy, Anna Kelly, followed him in the prediction market rankings.

Jennings previously worked as an aide to President George W. Bush and was reportedly considered for the press secretary position after Trump's 2024 victory.

Leavitt was ultimately selected and became one of the administration's most recognizable public defenders.

Trump has promoted Jennings' recent book and called him a "patriot" who "gets it."

Jennings has also built a national following by delivering calm but pointed conservative arguments on CNN panels that often appear shocked to encounter an unapologetic Republican.

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer said personal trust with Trump will be essential for whoever takes the podium next.

"The next press secretary will undoubtedly be someone who has a strong existing relationship with President Trump," Spicer previously told Fox News Digital.

Former press secretary Dana Perino has also weighed the potential candidates as the search continues.

The selection carries unusual importance because the administration needs a disciplined communicator capable of defending Trump's agenda while keeping the media circus from driving the daily message.

The White House had not announced a successor or publicly commented on Habba's statement.

For now, Washington's favorite guessing game continues, but Habba has made one point unmistakably clear: the betting markets do not get to hand out West Wing jobs.

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