Scott Jennings Emerges as Early Favorite for White House Press Secretary, but Process Remains Unfinished

When Karoline Leavitt announced she would step down at the end of the month, the White House quickly turned its attention to a familiar face in the media: Scott Jennings, a CNN contributor and former Bush‑era political strategist. According to several sources familiar with the matter, Jennings has become the early frontrunner for the coveted press‑secretary slot.

Susie Wiles, President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, met Jennings on the evening of August 9 at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Washington. The meeting was arranged by the White House, and Wiles reportedly told Jennings she found him “competent and good on TV.” It was one of a series of sit‑downs she’s conducting as she evaluates a pool of candidates for the role. A senior White House official made it clear the search is still in its infancy and that no decision has yet been reached.

Jennings’ résumé reads like a who’s‑who of Republican politics. He served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and spent years advising Senator Mitch McConnell. Since 2017 he’s been a regular on‑air commentator for CNN, and he’s also written columns for the Louisville Courier‑Journal and the Los Angeles Times. When asked on CNN’s “NewsNight” whether he was being considered, Jennings declined to confirm his candidacy but spoke to the weight of the position:

> “I think every president deserves a good, solid defense and someone who can go out there and explain what they’re doing, because the government’s doing so much. The American people deserve somebody to go out there and tell them what’s going on with their president and with the government as much as they can. That job is the conduit to transparency in front of the camera and also behind the scenes, and that’s an important thing.”

Even as his media chops and political pedigree make him a logical choice, some White House staffers question whether he can shoulder the “closed‑door legwork” that has been a hallmark of Leavitt’s tenure. One Trump adviser told CNN:

> “Can he do all the closed‑door legwork that has made Karoline so effective? No one knows.”

Leavitt, who was appointed press secretary in 2025, earned praise for juggling public briefings and private conversations with the president. A White House official summed her strengths:

> “She’s thoughtful, she’s not impulsive, she actually understands the job. Some outside person doesn’t understand the way it works.”

The vacancy comes at a critical juncture. With the midterm elections less than three months away, the administration’s communications strategy will be under close scrutiny. President Trump has signaled he’s willing to take his time choosing a replacement and has even floated the idea of rotating cabinet officials to conduct briefings for an indefinite period.

Other names have surfaced in the conversation. Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba, who briefly served as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, ruled herself out of the race on X:

> “Flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I’m not in the running for any job.”

Meanwhile, a source close to the president joked that he might tap his executive assistant for the role, though no formal consideration has been announced.

At this stage, Jennings is the early favorite, but the White House has not confirmed any appointment. Wiles is scheduled to meet with several other contenders before making a decision, and officials have emphasized that the process is not being rushed.

Whoever lands the job will shape how the Trump administration presents its agenda to the media and the public in the months leading up to the midterms. For now, the White House remains in a state of transition, with Leavitt’s departure and the search for a new press secretary at the forefront of its communications challenges.