Donald Trump announces Karoline Leavitt's temporary fill-in as viewers ask if he's 'joking'

Hannah Furnell Mon, September 14, 2026 at 12:23 PM UTC

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Donald Trump announced Karoline Leavitt's temporary fill-in ahead of leaving Ireland -Credit:Getty Images

President Donald Trump has revealed Karoline Leavitt's replacement as White House Press Secretary, but social media users are asking if he's "joking."

On Sunday, September 13, the 80-year-old Commander-in-Chief spoke to the press on the tarmac at Shannon International Airport in County Clare, Ireland, following his two-day trip to the country. Ahead of departing for Washington, D.C., Trump, whose marriage to Melania is at its lowest point due to a 'disturbing truth', announced that Marco Rubio and other officials would temporarily serve as press secretary as they continue to search for Leavitt's replacement.

The president explained that several people have applied to fill Leavitt's position, but as the hiring process continues, his administration will use Rubio and possibly even Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent as interim fill-ins. It comes after a lip reader revealed Trump's 5 tense words to his helicopter pilot during a furious meltdown.

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On the tarmac at Shannon International Airport, Trump told reporters, "We have a lot of people that want it. Many people want it. You know what we're going to do for a little while, we're going to use the secretary - the - you know, Marco, maybe JD, because JD did a great job.

"But we're going to use Scott [Bessent]... we're going to use a lot of our secretary... and we'll do it for a little while, but, ultimately, I'll pick somebody." There was shouting until Trump said, "We'll do Marco next? I will."

Social media user Aaron Rupar shared the moment on X, writing, "Trump says Marco Rubio will help serve as press secretary (he's somehow not joking!)." Several fellow social media users took to the comments to share their thoughts on Rubio taking on another role in the Trump Administration.

Rubio already holds four roles in the Trump administration. Shortly after the Senate confirmed him as the Secretary of State in January 2025, the 55-year-old Rubio was appointed the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Days later that February, Trump made Rubio Acting Archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Rubio then later picked up a fourth role as interim/acting National Security Adviser in the Trump administration.

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One person asked, "How much of a pay increase would Rubio get with all these job responsibilities?" Another added, "So nsa, state secretary, running venezuela and now press secretary. did he get a raise."

Marco Rubio already has four roles in President Donald Trump's administration -Credit:Carlos Garcia Granthon/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

A third laughed, "Hahaha does Rubio know??" A fourth shared, "Marco when heard this...," alongside a GIF of Rubio looking confused. A fifth mocked, "He's ready...," alongside a doctored image of Rubio wearing a Leavitt-inspired outfit and blonde wig sitting in the Oval Office at the White House.

Yet another joked, "Is there anything Marco Rubio can’t do?" as others chimed in to note, "Doesn’t he have like five different positions already?" and "Hahaha... how many jobs does Rubio have now? Is he the only competent person in the administration?"

Meanwhile, someone else echoed, "I mean he is the most competent person in his cabinet. (Not saying much there)," as another slammed, "Tbh what else is Marco doing these days?"

Leavitt officially left her role at the White House in late August, citing wanting to be more present for her two young children. During her last Fox News appearance, Leavitt said being the press secretary had been an "adventure of a lifetime," adding the one thing she'll miss most is "definitely being behind the podium."

President Donald Trump said Marco Rubio and others would fill in for Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary for a while -Credit:AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Over the weekend, Trump's visit to Ireland was marred by his comment on Ireland's unification. As he held bilateral talks with Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House, Trump said it would be "fantastic" if Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were to unify. "I don't want to cause any problem. I will tell you, I'd love to see it unified. It's going to happen eventually," he said.

His comment broke from decades of U.S. neutrality on the issue. After attending the Irish Open, Trump launched into a rant in front of a crowd of embassy employees and business leaders gathered at Deerfield Residence, where the U.S. ambassador lives.

During his rambling speech, Trump seemed to acknowledge that his remarks about unifying Ireland had landed him in hot water. He reiterated that a united Ireland would "be pretty cool," but added that being asked about reunification is "one of those questions where no matter what you say, no matter how well you say it, there is no good answer."

The president went on to gush about the hospitality of Irish people, saying, "They say you can't generalize about groups of people and countries. But you can!"

It comes after Trump committed a disgustingly disrespectful act in front of the cameras at the 9/11 memorial.

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Source: “AOL Breaking”