President Donald Trump is reportedly closing in on selecting a new White House press secretary, with a prominent conservative commentator emerging as a leading contender for the position following weeks of turmoil surrounding the administration’s communications operation.
According to Fox News Digital, conservative radio host and political commentator Ben Ferguson has gained significant support among Trump administration officials who believe he could bring a different approach to the White House briefing room.
The president has not made a final decision, but multiple administration insiders are reportedly encouraging him to consider Ferguson for the highly visible position.
“His name has been brought up to the president by many people,” a source close to Trump told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
The source also revealed that Trump may be looking to break with a recent White House tradition.
“[Trump’s] instincts are to pick a man,” the person said. “Which many people have told him that’s a good idea.”
A second individual familiar with the discussions confirmed that Trump is considering selecting a male press secretary and identified Ferguson as a frontrunner.
However, the president reportedly remains undecided.
“POTUS is not sold on the idea,” the first source explained, referring to Ferguson.
“I think it’s safe to say [Ferguson is] pursuing the job, and the president is aware.”
Ferguson, who hosts the nationally syndicated radio program “The Ben Ferguson Show,” has established himself as a vocal defender of Trump’s political agenda.
He also appears as a political commentator on CNN, where he regularly engages in heated debates with critics of the administration.
That experience has reportedly made him an appealing candidate to several White House officials.
One senior administration official praised Ferguson’s willingness to defend Trump in confrontational media environments.
“Ben is one of loudest supporters of President Trump in the 21st century,” the official told Fox News Digital. “While many supporters don’t have the courage to take to the fake news, Ben consistently walks into the lion’s den and faces the media bias head on.”
The official suggested that Ferguson’s television experience could prove particularly valuable as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January.
“His resumé and experience are exactly what the administration will need when they face a Congress hell-bent on dismantling our efforts to Make America Great Again,” the official added.
But Ferguson is not the only prominent conservative commentator under consideration.
Scott Jennings, another familiar face on CNN, has also emerged as a possible candidate.
Jennings previously served in former President George W. Bush’s administration and has become known for defending Republican positions during political debates, per Fox News.
However, one source expressed doubts that Trump would ultimately select him.
“The president keeps going back and forth on Scott Jennings,” the source said. “I don’t think it will happen.”
Several other recognizable names have surfaced during the search.
Among them are White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, Breitbart executive Matthew Boyle and Ari Fleischer, who served as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush.
Female candidates have also reportedly been considered, although the sources believe Trump is leaning toward appointing a man.
Such a selection would mark a notable departure from recent history.
The previous seven White House press secretaries have all been women, spanning Trump’s two administrations and former President Joe Biden’s presidency.
Sean Spicer, who served during the opening months of Trump’s first administration in 2017, was the last man to hold the position.
The search comes after a particularly turbulent period for the White House communications team.
Trump has been without a permanent press secretary since October 13, when Katie Zacharia departed after holding the position for approximately one week.
Her brief tenure was marked by controversy surrounding claims about her professional background and a widely criticized press briefing that lasted just 14 minutes.
Zacharia had replaced Karoline Leavitt, who became a prominent administration spokesperson after helping represent Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign.
Leavitt resigned in August after returning from maternity leave, explaining that she wanted to spend more time with her family.
Now, the administration is seeking another spokesperson capable of navigating daily confrontations with the national press.
One Trump administration official argued that both Ferguson and Jennings have demonstrated the temperament necessary for the role.
“He and Scott are screamed at by the radical left everyday as they defend the president to a hostile audience,” the official said.
The official added that those exchanges resemble the pressure the next press secretary would encounter behind the White House podium.
With Democrats preparing to assume control of both chambers of Congress, administration insiders believe the position will become especially important.
Trump is reportedly hoping to fill the vacancy soon.
Although Ferguson has emerged as a serious contender, the president has yet to announce his selection, leaving the next occupant of the White House briefing room uncertain.
