Good afternoon from Washington, where the buzz in the dog days of summer revolves around who will replace Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt when she hangs up her Gucci horsebit slippers and heads down West Executive Avenue for the last time at the end of this month.
I have some intel below on what the process to replace Leavitt will look like. Don’t expect a replacement to be announced anytime soon, but the podium will be manned by some Trump administration heavy-hitters in the interim.
IN THIS EDITION OF PARTY ANIMALS: We’re in the dead heat of the midterm elections, which means that the action won’t stop from now until 2028. For August, that means the Hamptons are a buzzing hub for political candidates looking to raise cash and boost their profiles among donors. The catch: In our anti-upper-crust times, they’re desperate to keep the lavish trips hidden from everyday voters. Read on for a look inside the big-dollar Hamptons primary.
Also mentioned in this issue: Stephanie Grisham, Alina Habba, Steven Cheung, Kari Lake, Scott Jennings, Bruce Blakeman, John Catsimatidis, Steve Witkoff, Wes Moore, JB Pritzker, Jon Ossoff, Scott Bessent, Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino, Elie Honig, Jeanine Pirro, Natalie Harp, and Will Scharf.
Got tips? Hit the Party Animals hotline: aidan_mclaughlin@condenast.com. Or text me—my number is 917-817-8266. Complaints will be read quietly at an East End fundraiser. Praise will be announced by Karoline Leavitt at her farewell briefing. | 
