Scott Jennings Emerges as Leading Candidate to Succeed Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary
Sources say Scott Jennings is the frontrunner to replace Karoline Leavitt as the 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.
How this was covered
- Coverage peaked at 6 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
A new press secretary will shape how the Trump administration communicates its policies and responds to the media.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames Leavitt's resignation as a result of Trump’s pressure and her burnout, while right-leaning coverage lauds her performance and uses the departure to comment on the administration’s stalled agenda.
LEFT
Leavitt quit because Trump repeatedly pressured her to return and the job’s demands caused burnout, highlighting the administration’s falsehoods.
RIGHT
Leavitt is praised as a top performer whose exit underscores the Trump administration’s diminishing policy momentum.
The left emphasises
- Trump repeatedly phoned her to inquire about when she would return
- the demanding position conflicted with her responsibilities as a mother, leading to burnout
- her tenure began with a false claim about a $50 million condom program
The right emphasises
- Leavitt surpassed previous press secretaries and mastered representing a forceful president
- her aggressive defense and rapid, note-free responses are highlighted as strengths
- her resignation is linked to the administration’s stalled agenda and policy setbacks
How this story developed
- Aug 10 Trump switches to older Air Force One for secret departure from Turkey amid Iranian threat
- Aug 11 No additional information has been provided since the flight.
- Aug 11 A covert operation moved Donald Trump from Air Force One into a cargo container on the ground in Turkey after a credible Iranian threat was reported.
- Aug 12 New video footage of the catering truck used in the swap has been released.
- Aug 13 Trump said the Secret Service instructed the aircraft change.
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