Could Scott Jennings become Trump's new White House press secretary?

Hannah Pinski, Lexington Herald-Leader on Aug 21, 2026

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Scott Jennings is emerging as a potential front-runner to become President Donald Trump’s next White House press secretary.

Jennings, a former adviser for Sen. Mitch McConnell and conservative political commentator on CNN, is considered an early favorite and met with Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, according to reporting from CNN. Two sources familiar with the meeting between Jennings and Wiles told CNN they believe Jennings has Wiles’ backing, but the process is far from over.

Jennings has been a prominent figure in Kentucky politics for more than two decades. He is the founding partner of RunSwitch Public Relations, a Kentucky public relations and public affairs firm in Louisville.

He's also been consistently supported by Trump, and Jennings published a book in November 2025 titled “A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization.”

Jennings did not immediately respond a Herald-Leader request for comment.

Jennings has not ruled out the job. When asked by Abby Phillip on CNN if he was interviewing for the role, Jennings said he didn’t have any comment Wednesday night. He also didn’t say whether he has been in contact with the White House.

“I think every president deserves a good, solid defense and someone who can go out there and explain what they’re doing, because the government’s doing so much,” Jennings said. “The American people deserve somebody to go out there and tell them what’s going on with their president and with the government as much as they can.”

Jennings this week also took the opportunity to audition for the job when he defended White House aide Natalie Harp. U.S Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia, called into question Harp’s relationship with Trump, according to reporting from The Hill.

“He doesn’t want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the emir of Qatar,” Ossoff said.

Jennings jumped in on the drama and fired off multiple social media posts and used his time on CNN to defend Harp and Trump, according to reporting from Politico. A person close to the White House told Politico Jennings sent clips of him defending Harp to several senior staffers.

“I just don’t think that’s what you sign up for when you’re someone like Natalie Harp, who never put her name on a ballot,” Jennings told Politico. “She’s not the White House press secretary. She’s not a household name, and I just find it to be appalling. Somebody needs to defend her honor.”

If hired for the job, Jennings would succeed former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is leaving at the end of August.