President Trump is weighing a CNN commentator to become his next voice at the White House podium, but insiders say he isn’t fully convinced yet.
Story Snapshot
- Trump is reportedly considering CNN contributor Scott Jennings to replace outgoing Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
- Leavitt announced she is stepping down at the end of August to focus on her family.
- Jennings has dodged direct questions about the job, giving mixed answers on TV.
- No formal offer or decision has been confirmed by the White House.
Leavitt’s Exit Opens the Door
Karoline Leavitt is leaving her post as White House Press Secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her family and young children. Her departure kicked off a scramble inside the West Wing to find her replacement, and Scott Jennings, a longtime CNN contributor known for defending the president on air, quickly emerged as a name officials are floating.
NOTUS reported on August 20 that Trump has “signaled interest” in Jennings and that the commentator is actively being considered for the job. CNN’s own rundown of possible Leavitt replacements listed Jennings among eleven names circulating around Washington, noting his history of sparring with hosts on the president’s behalf.
A Familiar Face With White House Roots
Jennings is not a stranger to the West Wing. He served in the George W. Bush administration, where he worked as a special assistant to the president and deputy director of political affairs. That background gives him a credibility argument that pure media figures often lack, and it fits a long pattern of press secretaries who came from journalism or commentary roles, including Tony Snow, Dana Perino, and Kayleigh McEnany.
Conservatives who watch Jennings spar with liberal anchors night after night see him as a natural fit for a job that rewards toughness under fire. He has built a reputation as one of the few voices willing to push back hard against media narratives that paint the Trump administration unfairly, a trait that matters to a base still angry about years of hostile press coverage.
Jennings Won’t Give a Straight Answer
When CNN asked Jennings directly if he would take Leavitt’s job, he first said “No.” Later, when pressed again, he said, “I don’t know”. Courthouse News reported a similar dodge, saying Jennings did not give a direct answer when asked if he would accept the role if it were offered to him.
Those answers show the question is very much alive, even if Jennings himself isn’t ready to confirm anything. His evasiveness has only fueled more speculation, with betting markets like Kalshi reportedly pricing his odds at 29 percent to land the job. Market odds reflect public guessing, not proof of what Trump has decided.
Trump Still Weighing His Options
Despite the buzz, reports say Trump remains undecided. Headlines describing Jennings as a “frontrunner” reflect media speculation, not a locked-in choice from the president or his team. No official White House statement has named a final pick, and the process appears to still be fluid as August comes to a close.
For conservatives, the stakes go beyond one name. The press secretary job is the administration’s daily shield against a media class that has spent years attacking this president and his policies. Whoever Trump picks will need to match Leavitt’s combative style, defend border security wins, and push back on false narratives from a hostile press corps every single day.
2/ outgoing press secretary, according to two sources familiar with the conversations. Leavitt plans to depart the White House at the end of the month.”
“Trump has signaled interest in Scott Jennings, a conservative media pundit who has been widely…
— ˶˃ News Reader Cat 📰🗞️NO DMs˂˶ (@typocatCAv2) August 20, 2026
Jennings’ potential move from CNN panelist to White House spokesman would mark a rare crossover, turning one of the network’s most reliable Trump defenders into the administration’s official voice. Whether Trump ultimately picks him or looks elsewhere, the decision will shape how the White House handles the press for the remainder of this term.
Sources:
mediaite.com, dailymail.com, usatoday.com, cnn.com, yahoo.com
