CNN’s Scott Jennings in Line to Replace Trump’s Press Secretary: Report
CNN’s Scott Jennings in Line to Replace Trump’s Press Secretary: Report
Martin HolmesThu, August 13, 2026 at 11:34 AM UTC
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CNN’s Scott Jennings is the current frontrunner to take over as White House press secretary following Karoline Leavitt‘s exit, according to a new report from The Daily Beast.
The outlet, citing sources with knowledge of the situation, claims that the conservative commentator is the surprising favorite for the position, which will become available when Leavitt departs at the end of the month.
Jennings is a long-time MAGA mouthpiece and Donald Trump defender who previously served as a special assistant to the president and deputy director of political affairs during the George W. Bush administration. He also worked as an advisor for Senator Mitch McConnell.
Trump announced Leavitt’s departure on social media on Wednesday (August 12), noting that she will leave her role to spend time with her young children and family, “a decision I totally understand and respect.”
“Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party,” he added.
Leavitt, who welcomed her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio in May, shared her own statement on X, describing her job as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.”
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“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary,” she continued. “And that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life.”
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Jennings dodged the question about whether he’d be interested in taking the job during Wednesday’s episode of CNN NewsNight. Instead, he praised Leavitt, describing her as “maybe the greatest White House press secretary in the last 30 years, at least.”
He added, “She’s been nothing short of brilliant. I don’t know a single Republican in the country who isn’t in awe of and in appreciation of Karoline tonight. So godspeed on your journey back to your family. You’ve done great stuff.”
When asked again if he’ll throw his hat in the ring, Jennings quipped, “Democrats are afraid of Scott Jennings becoming press secretary.”
Other names under consideration for the role include Trump’s former defense attorney Alina Habba, deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, former White House deputy chief of staff for communications Taylor Budowich, and Matthew Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for right-wing news site Breitbart, per reports from the New York Post.
CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, Weekdays, 10/9c, CNN
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
