President Donald Trump reportedly joked that his executive assistant, Natalie Harp, could serve as the next White House press secretary. The comment, reported by CNN sources on Thursday, comes after current press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced her departure from the administration. The move was described as unexpected, leaving a high-profile vacancy in the executive branch communications office.
Harp has served as Trump’s executive assistant and has been characterized by her proximity to the president. She is known for providing Trump with physical copies of news articles and social media posts, a role that led to the nickname "human printer." Recent reports have highlighted her involvement in the administration, including her presence on a military plane during a security threat and her travel to a 2023 court appearance.
In addition to the reported joke, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself at the White House briefing podium on Thursday night with the caption "The Best Press Secretary." While Trump has mentioned Harp, CNN reports that political commentator Scott Jennings has emerged as a frontrunner for the position. Jennings recently met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in Washington, D.C., though he declined to comment on rumors regarding the role during a televised interview earlier this week.
For federal workers and Washington officials, the transition in leadership within the communications office involves the management of a significant staff and the coordination of the president's public schedule. One White House official expressed concern to CNN, stating that Leavitt and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were perceived as critical to maintaining the administration's stability. The selection of a successor will determine the tone of the administration’s interactions with the press corps for the remainder of the term.
The potential appointment of a new press secretary, such as Scott Jennings, would mark a shift in the administration's public defense strategy. Jennings noted in a Politico interview that a president requires a "solid defense" to explain government actions. A formal announcement regarding a successor is expected following the conclusion of the search process, which is currently being managed by senior White House leadership. No specific effective date for Leavitt's departure or the new appointment was reported.