CNN’s senior political contributor Scott Jennings dodged questions about whether he would want to become President Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary, following news that Karoline Leavitt would be stepping down.
Leavitt, 28, shocked the country Wednesday with the news of her departure, less than a month after she returned from maternity leave for her second child.
Later Wednesday night, CNN NewsNight guest host Lulu Garcia-Navarro pressed Jennings, the network’s conservative pundit and regular Trump defender, about who he thought should become the president’s next press secretary.
“Just briefly, Scott, who should replace Karoline Leavitt? Obviously she is stepping down. Who do you think…” Garcia-Navarro began to ask before commentator Bakari Sellers cut her off, asking, “Scott Jennings! Are you throwing your hat in the ring?”
“Yeah. Well, first of all, are you throwing your hat in the ring?” Garcia-Navarro asked.
“Will you serve, Scott? Answer the question!” CNN political analyst Josh Rogin added.
The conservative pundit shook his head ‘no,’ but quickly replied, “I don’t know.”
Jennings continued: “But I’ll tell you this: Karoline Leavitt has been maybe the greatest White House press secretary in the last 30 years, at least. She’s been nothing short of brilliant. She’s done it while raising a young family. I think it’s great that she’s going to go spend time with her family.”
“I don’t know a single Republican in the country who isn’t in awe of and in appreciation of Karoline tonight. So godspeed on your journey back to your family. You’ve done great.”
However, the others didn’t seem willing to accept his diplomatic response.
“Do you want the job or not?” Rogin asked before Sellers chimed in: “Let me help Scott! Democrats are afraid of Scott Jennings becoming press secretary.”
The panel then erupted into laughter, prompting Sellers to joke: “Now you got the job!”
Leavitt will officially leave the role at the end of August.
The combative spokesperson will still be one of the president’s “top outside advisors” and “an influential voice within the Republican Party,” Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social.
Leavitt held only one press briefing since returning to the White House following her maternity leave last month, during which she was away from the podium for about eight weeks following the birth of her second child.
She called her time in the role, which will be remembered for her fierce loyalty to the president and oftentimes explosive press briefings, the “honor and adventure of a lifetime.”
While speculation has swirled about who may step in to fill the role, the White House has not yet announced her replacement.
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