Scott Jennings Emerges as Leading Candidate to Succeed Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary

Karoline Leavitt announced her departure from the White House press secretary role to spend more time with her family following the birth of her second child. Among the names circulating, Scott Jennings - a former special assistant to the president in the George W. Bush era and a regular defender of Donald Trump on one outlet - is described by insiders as the leading contender. Jennings has a background in public relations and previously advised Senator Mitch McConnell on multiple campaigns.

Additional names mentioned include former Trump defense lawyer Alina Habba, former RNC national press secretary Anna Kelly, Arizona political figure Kari Lake, and Katie Miller, who has ties to Stephen Miller and Elon Musk’s former Department of Government Efficiency. The betting platform Kalshi lists Roma Daravi, Lara Trump and Natalie Harp as other top possibilities, while senior White House communications officials such as Steven Cheung, Taylor Budowich and a bureau chief at one outlet are also in the mix.