Scott Jennings Downplays Speculation He Is Contender for White House Press Secretary

CNN political commentator and longtime Republican strategist Scott Jennings on Sunday shrugged off reports naming him a leading contender to succeed outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, declining to engage the speculation while lavishing praise on her performance.

Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Jennings said simply, “I don’t know what’s going to happen” and added, “I don’t have anything to say about it this morning.” He then described Leavitt as “one of the best press secretaries in the modern era,” noting the significant shoes any successor would have to fill. He also praised former Trump press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her earlier service in the role.

The comments came after multiple outlets, including CNN, reported that Jennings had emerged as an early favorite following Leavitt’s announcement that she will step down at the end of August to spend more time with her family. Sources indicated Jennings had met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and some administration officials viewed him as competent and effective on television. President Trump himself told reporters that “Scott Jennings is good” when asked about potential replacements, while emphasizing he was in no rush and had received a large number of applications.

Jennings, a Kentucky native who previously worked in the George W. Bush White House and has longstanding ties to Sen. Mitch McConnell, has repeatedly deflected direct questions about the post in recent appearances. When pressed earlier by CNN colleagues about whether he was interviewing or in contact with the White House, he offered non-answers or light humor while underscoring the importance of the job as a conduit for explaining the administration’s actions to the public.

Some within MAGA circles have expressed reservations about Jennings because of his McConnell connections, though the commentator has been a consistent on-air defender of Trump’s policies throughout the second term. Jennings lives in Kentucky with his wife and four school-age children and maintains active roles as a CNN contributor and radio host.

Leavitt’s departure leaves a high-profile vacancy less than three months before the midterms. The White House has indicated the search remains open and deliberate, with no timeline for a final decision. Jennings’ public posture of disinterest leaves the field unsettled even as his name continues to circulate among those watching the process.