PRIMETIME TO THE BRIEFING ROOM

CNN’s MAGA Star Surges Ahead in Race to Replace Leavitt

The president may be eyeing a network news pundit to be his next press secretary—but not from the conservative outlet you might think.

CNN’s token MAGA pundit may be in line for a big new gig.

Prediction markets have Scott Jennings as the favorite to be President Donald Trump’s next press secretary, skyrocketing him past lesser-known names who worked under Karoline Leavitt on the White House communications team.

Jennings saw his odds of landing the gig spike by 24 percentage points in as many hours, with him now pegged as having a 29 percent chance of being Trump’s next mouthpiece on Kalshi.

The 48-year-old pundit has been a staunch defender of Trump—often going to extreme or childish lengths to do so—on a network that the president often slams as “fake news,” making him comfortable with confrontation with Washington media.

exclusive

SPIN CYCLE

TV Star Is Shock Frontrunner to Replace Karoline Leavitt

Ewan Palmer

The spike in Jennings’ favor comes after the Daily Beast exclusively reported on Thursday that people familiar with the situation believe he is not only being considered for the role but is seen as the frontrunner.

Jennings was coy when asked directly if he would consider taking the role during a Wednesday appearance on CNN’s NewsNight—first shaking his head when asked if he was throwing his name in the mix, then offering Leavitt praise instead of answering yes or no.

Play Video

Jennings, who previously worked as a White House aide under President George W. Bush, is followed on Kalshi by White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, who sits at 17 percent, and Trump’s former legal spokesperson, Alina Habba, who sits at 16 percent.

Kelly, 29, is a former beauty queen who was one of three aides who stepped in for Leavitt during her maternity leave.

Habba, 42, has been without a role in the administration since a court ruled last year that Trump unlawfully appointed her as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Sources told the New York Post that she is considered a strong candidate for the press secretary role.

There is a large gap before the next-most-likely contenders on Kalshi, but those listed include White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston; Longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller; the president’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump; White House Communications Director Steven Cheung; Trump campaign adviser Danielle Alvarez, who was the Communications Director of the RNC during the 2022 midterms; and Roma Daravi, who is the vice president of public relations at the now-MAGAfied Kennedy Center.

Also on the list is Jayme Leagh Franklin, who went viral this week after appearing behind Trump during an Oval Office event where he appeared to be dozing off. Franklin oversees the MAGA lifestyle publication The Conservateur.

Natalie Harp, Trump’s favorite blonde White House aide who was at his side when he was whisked away in a catering truck to escape Air Force One amid reports of an Iranian assassination threat, is also on Kalshi’s list of possible press secretaries—despite her being among the most private people in Trump’s inner circle.

Trump, 80, has given no indication of who he will choose to be his next mouthpiece,nor has he given a timeframe for when the public can expect an announcement. Leavitt will not step down from her role as press secretary until the end of August.

See more of our coverage in your search results.

ADD THE DAILY BEAST ON GOOGLE

Josh FialloBreaking News Reporter

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.