Trump Aides Consider Alternatives to Scott Jennings for Press Secretary Position

<figure><img alt="Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, holds a briefing on April 27, 2026, addressing the White House Correspondents' Association shooting and other issues." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/3RQWAPKK5BAVLPVOIH2CEY3PB4.jpg?auth=e3950321e0adcc638a5a395cf00c7f396ef2ec60d712bf440e19fd01b2e98532&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5514&amp;height=3102" /><figcaption>Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag</figcaption></figure><p>As the press secretary position remains vacant nearly a month after Karoline Leavitt's departure, aides to President Donald Trump are reportedly attempting to steer his attention away from Scott Jennings, a CNN commentator who is viewed as a potential candidate for the role.</p><p>Jennings, 48, was considered a frontrunner after meeting with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and staffers indicated to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/20/politics/scott-jennings-white-house-press-secretary-process" rel="">CNN</a> that they believed he had her support. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6044575-leavitt-leaves-white-house/" rel="">The Hill</a> reported that Jennings was considered for the position even before Leavitt was appointed in 2024.</p><img alt="Scott Jennings speaking with attendees at the Republican Jewish Coalition's 2026 Annual Leadership Summit at the Venetian Convention &amp; Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. / Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia" height="3392" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/LHECURP4MNEKZLE7RLUX3YFZQA.jpg?auth=1d1e83a265b8bbff090d00a1299775c064a6d8258291928694e9b7f72627d800&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5088&amp;height=3392" width="5088" /><p>However, some staff members are opposing Jennings, advocating for a candidate already within the White House, according to sources familiar with the discussions.</p><p>The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.</p><p>The gap since Leavitt's exit on August 27 marks the longest period without a White House press secretary in modern American history. The White House has conducted only two press briefings in the past two months, while previous administrations averaged over ten per month.</p><img alt="Trump banned three media outlets from the White House in September. / Evelyn Hockstein / Reuters" height="4335" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/WOFZGP4RKVATXPR3DYQQOIMKWA.JPG?auth=e1fcf8b870530bdf795cc889f30988c8d5fbc213ef8991931fcd3acda30906ab&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6500&amp;height=4335" width="6500" /><p>This vacancy occurs during a challenging time for White House communications, amid an escalating trade war, ongoing conflict with Iran, and a contentious meeting with China's President Xi Jinping. Trump's approval ratings have fallen to 32 percent, according to a Reuters/Ipsos <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-approval-falls-career-low-32-high-costs-bite-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2026-09-21/" rel="">report</a>, creating a demand for a spokesperson.</p><img alt="Sources say Karoline Leavitt would have talked President Donald Trump out of the media ban disaster. / KENT NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images" height="5504" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/TQOKI3YPVVFWTGISRKSLRD7BDY.jpg?auth=8200d331db858052fc23a8b53d3317c7f0e016586c7491a55c15d7570a2688dd&amp;smart=true&amp;width=8256&amp;height=5504" width="8256" /><p>The absence of a press secretary has reportedly influenced Trump's decision to ban MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from the White House. This action, described by Trump as an “assault on the FAKE NEWS,” was temporarily halted by a judge, restoring access while litigation is ongoing.</p><p>Two sources familiar with the White House's internal dynamics indicated that Leavitt likely would have advised Trump against the media ban had she still been in her position.</p><p>“The ban raises questions about who is advising the president and how such a decision was made, surprising some of his senior staff,” one source remarked.</p><p>Former campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez and Trump's advisor Jason Miller have been filling in while Trump considers Leavitt's successor, but he appears to be in no hurry to make a decision.</p><p>Sources noted that Trump has become accustomed to making media-related decisions independently, sometimes bypassing the usual internal review process.</p><img alt="CNN media analyst Brian Stelter discusses the court victory over Trump's media ban. / CNN" height="1106" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/OHKUNI44TBCJFPQ6OTVKBYEDFE.png?auth=5e8e363309bed781c7d7666332df7343162beb73367fd56941976338bd5adf2c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1980&amp;height=1106" width="1980" /><p>Jennings, known for his strong defense of Trump's policies, has faced criticism for his past comments and actions, including controversial statements regarding Iran and interactions with media figures.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-aides-plotting-to-block-scott-jennings-from-taking-over-karoline-leavitts-job/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>