CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings is fueling speculation that he could replace outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt after repeatedly declining to shut down questions about the job.
Jennings, 48, was pressed about the possibility during an Aug. 13 appearance on CNN’s “The Source,” where host Kaitlan Collins noted that his name has continued to surface as a potential successor.
“Your name keeps getting floated,” Collins told Jennings. “Have you heard anything from the White House on that job opening?”
Rather than issuing a denial, Jennings joked about what taking the position would mean for Collins.
“I don’t really have anything to say about it other than… I would get to see you everyday,” Jennings replied. “I would think you’d be happy about this.”
“I already see you every day,” Collins responded.
Jennings pushed back, saying the two only cross paths “one or two days a week.”
“Can you imagine, every single day, getting to go to work where I am?” he continued. “This should be an amazing thing for you.”
Collins immediately highlighted what Jennings had left unsaid.
“That’s not a no,” she responded.
The exchange came after similar speculation surfaced one night earlier on CNN’s “NewsNight.”
Former South Carolina state Rep. Bakari Sellers (D) jokingly suggested Democrats were concerned about the possibility of Jennings becoming President Donald Trump’s next press secretary.
“Let me help, Scott,” Sellers said. “Democrats are afraid of Scott Jennings becoming press secretary. There you go. Now you’ve got the job.”
Jennings initially answered “No” when other panelists asked whether he would be replacing Leavitt, but he subsequently appeared to leave the possibility open.
“I don’t know,” Jennings said.
He then offered glowing praise for Leavitt’s performance behind the White House podium.
“But I’ll tell you this: Karoline Leavitt has been maybe the greatest White House press secretary in the last 30 years, at least,” Jennings said. “She’s been nothing short of brilliant.”
Jennings has emerged as one of CNN’s most prominent conservative voices, frequently clashing with liberal and Democratic panelists during the network’s political coverage, according to Trending Politics.
Before joining CNN, Jennings worked in Republican politics for years.
He advised former President George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns and later served in the Bush White House. Jennings also previously worked as an adviser to longtime Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell (R).
Speculation over who will take over the briefing room intensified following the announcement that Leavitt, 28, will leave her position at the end of August.
Trump announced her upcoming departure in an Aug. 12 Truth Social post, saying his press secretary was stepping away to spend more time with her family.
“Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” Trump wrote.
Leavitt later addressed the decision herself, describing her time in the administration as the “honor and adventure of a lifetime.”
She explained that becoming a mother for the second time ultimately led her to reconsider the demands of serving as White House press secretary.
Leavitt gave birth to her daughter, Viviana, in May and subsequently returned to the administration before deciding to step away.
No official replacement has been announced.
