President Donald Trump was spotted spending the weekend with his family and longtime ally Alina Habba as speculation grows over who will replace outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Video from Trump’s Bedminster golf club showed the president dancing to “YMCA” beside his daughter Ivanka Trump while Habba sat directly behind them. The timing of Habba’s appearance quickly attracted attention because she is shortlisted among the names being considered for the soon to be vacant position.
The video was recorded at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, where the president spent part of the weekend. Trump appeared relaxed as the Village People song played inside the club, moving to the music while Ivanka smiled and danced beside him. Habba could be seen seated at a nearby table immediately behind the president and his daughter.
The President has not yet announced who he has chosen for the job, but her prominent appearance near the Trump entourage comes just days after Leavitt confirmed that she will leave the White House at the end of August. Habba’s long relationship with Trump and experience defending him before hostile reporters have made her an obvious subject of speculation.
Journalist Nick Sortor shared the video on X, describing Trump’s weekend at Bedminster as “pretty chill.” Sortor pointed out that Habba was “seated right behind him.” He noted the mounting rumors that Habba could be tapped as the next White House press secretary.
Leavitt announced last week that she will step down to spend more time with her two young children after recently returning from maternity leave. President Trump praised her as “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office” and said she would continue working as an outside adviser. Her departure leaves the administration searching for someone capable of defending the Administration’s agenda before an often-combative White House press corps.
Habba currently serves as senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys and previously worked as one of Trump’s personal attorneys. She also became a prominent campaign surrogate during the 2024 election, regularly appearing on television to defend Trump during his legal battles. Fox News reported that Habba was initially considered a frontrunner for the position following Trump’s election and is once again being floated as a likely choice.
Watch Trump dancing with Habba directly behind him here:
"*" indicates required fields
Habba added to the speculation with her own public response to Leavitt’s departure. In a post on X, she praised Leavitt as “perfection” and said that “nobody handled the fake news better.” Habba then wrote, “And whoever gets that podium next better come ready for a fight they have big shoes to fill.”
Habba was also linked to the press secretary position during Trump’s 2024 transition, but said at the time that she was “flattered” by the support and speculation while believing she would be better used elsewhere. She went on to serve as counselor to the president before becoming interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. After leaving that position, she moved into her current senior advisory role at the Justice Department.
Other possible contenders reportedly include Breitbart’s Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle, CNN commentator Scott Jennings, Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, Katie Miller, Stephen Miller, and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung. Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told Fox News that Trump would likely select someone who already has a strong relationship with him and understands how he communicates. Trump has not announced Leavitt’s successor as of Monday morning, leaving Habba’s appearance at Bedminster as the latest development surrounding the closely watched decision.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.