CNN contributor Scott Jennings stated Sunday that he does not know who will be appointed as the next White House press secretary following reports identifying him as a potential candidate. Jennings, who served in the administration of former President George W. Bush and advised Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), commented on the matter during an appearance on CNN’s "State of the Union."
Current press secretary Karoline Leavitt is scheduled to depart her role at the end of August. Leavitt confirmed Friday that she intends to return to the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc., where she previously served as a spokesperson before joining the 2024 presidential campaign. President Trump stated Friday at Joint Base Andrews that he is not in a rush to name a successor.
Reports from CNN on Thursday indicated that Jennings and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles recently met at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. The outlet reported that some White House staff members believe Wiles supports Jennings for the position. While President Trump complimented Jennings on Friday, he noted that the administration had received a large volume of job applications for the vacancy.
The scale of the impact is national, as the press secretary manages information flow for the entire federal government during a presidential term. A change in this role can lead to shifts in how the administration coordinates with various federal agencies and how it responds to legislative developments in Congress. The current vacancy occurs as the administration manages multiple domestic and international issues, including ongoing trade discussions and foreign policy matters.
A new press secretary will be tasked with representing the administration's platform to the 330 million residents of the United States. A specific successor has not yet been named, and President Trump has not provided a deadline for the appointment. Karoline Leavitt's departure is effective at the end of August 2026, creating a timeline for either an interim or permanent replacement to assume the role.