Trump says cabinet officials will temporarily share White House press duties

Monday 14 September 2026 - 10:47

By: Azzat Manal

Trump says cabinet officials will temporarily share White House press duties

US President Donald Trump has said that members of his cabinet will temporarily take turns handling White House press briefings following the departure of former press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump indicated that several senior administration officials were interested in taking on the role and that the White House would rely on different cabinet members while a permanent arrangement is considered.

Among those expected to assist is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom Trump specifically mentioned as one of the officials who could address the media. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were also cited as potential participants in the temporary arrangement.

Trump also recalled that Vice President JD Vance had previously held a press conference at the White House, suggesting that the administration could continue using senior officials to communicate directly with journalists on major domestic and international issues.

The White House press secretary position has been vacant since Leavitt resigned on August 27, citing family reasons. Trump has said that she will remain part of his team as an adviser, although she will no longer serve as the administration's principal spokesperson.

The temporary approach represents an unusual arrangement for the White House, where the press secretary traditionally serves as the administration's main point of contact with journalists and is responsible for conducting regular briefings in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.

By involving cabinet-level officials, the administration could give individual departments a greater role in communicating government policy. Rubio, for example, could address foreign policy and diplomatic matters, while Bessent and Lutnick could focus on economic, financial and trade issues.

The arrangement could also allow the administration to maintain regular communication with the media while Trump considers a longer-term replacement. The president has not yet announced when a permanent press secretary will be appointed.

The White House press secretary plays a central role in shaping the administration's public message, particularly during periods of heightened political or international pressure. The position requires close coordination with the president, senior advisers and government agencies to ensure that official statements remain consistent.

Trump's decision to rely on several senior officials could therefore signal a more decentralized approach to White House communications, at least temporarily. It may also provide the administration with greater flexibility to place officials with direct expertise in front of reporters depending on the subject under discussion.

The coming weeks are expected to clarify whether the temporary system remains in place or whether Trump ultimately selects a new full-time spokesperson. Until then, cabinet members and other senior officials are likely to play a more visible role in representing the administration before the press.