Donald Trump’s firebrand lawyer, Alina Habba, has emerged as a frontrunner to be his White House press secretary, it was reported Tuesday—the latest proof his second administration will be stuffed with MAGA loyalists.
The 40-year-old Habba is “the favorite for the role,” Mediaite reported, citing a quartet of apparently supportive sources–although there was no official word Tuesday evening.
The report suggested the biggest roadblock between Habba and the White House press briefing room might be convincing the high-profile lawyer—and mother of three—to accept the gig.
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“She’s expected to be at Mar-a-Lago this week for conversations regarding a potential role,” a source told the website.
Later on Tuesday night, Fox News host Sean Hannity asked Habba if there was any truth to the rumors circulating about the position.
“I leave it to the president and three people who are on my board of directors—that’s Luke, Chloe, and Parker, my children," Habba said. “Everybody will know in time.”
Habba refused to say if she was having discussions about taking on the role, but did say she would consider it if offered.
“I am very loyal to President Trump, I would think about it,” she told Hannity.
Habba’s very public defense of Trump in court and out—including a protracted fight over a lawsuit filed by his ex-fixer Michael Cohen—makes her, in Trump’s eyes, a camera-ready candidate for the role, Mediaite reported. Also upping her stock, sources who appeared exceptionally pro-Habba, said, is that “Alina is camera-ready and tested on day one.”
Habba, however, does not have a winning track record in court for Trump. She represented him against E. Jean Carroll .
But she has been a regular on the campaign trail, including an eyebrow-raising appearance at his Madison Square Garden, New York, rally where she ran onto stage wearing a red bodysuit and glittering jacket emblazoned “MAGA” and “45,″ before loudly proclaiming her loyalty to her client.
The New Jersey native was at Mar-a-Lago on election night, with a clip capturing her singing and celebrating the imminent victory while seated next to Trump. Her place atop the press secretary shortlist is the latest suggestion that Trump’s second White House stint will include friends of the Trump family.
It also confirms the aggressive lobbying and auditioning for top roles happening in Trump’s inner circle, with many flocking to Mar-a-Lago to personally push their case.
Also reportedly “angling” for a top White House gig is the former Democratic lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard, who ditched her old party two years ago and spent the summer throwing her full support behind returning Trump to the White House.
The New York Post reported Tuesday that Gabbard, 43, is rearing to join Trump’s cabinet as defense secretary. She wants the gig so bad, the Post reports she even planned to petition Trump for it.
“The Pentagon post is at the top of Gabbard’s wish list,” the Post reported, citing sources. If she’s unable to snag her first choice, the Post reports Gabbard has also shown interest in becoming the director of the CIA.
These appointments would come in addition to the top posts already being filled by MAGA world insiders. That includes Trump calling on South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to be his Homeland Security Secretary, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) to be his National Security Advisor, and Stephen Miller as his deputy chief of staff for policy. He also tapped his campaign co-chair Susie Wiles to be his chief of staff.
