President Donald Trump has still not picked a replacement for his outgoing press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, just days before she leaves the White House.
“I have never had so many job applications in my life,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One last Friday. “They all want that job.”
Trump is still mulling over his options, administration officials told CBS News, but the clock is ticking. Leavitt’s last day is expected to be Friday.
For now, top Trump officials will lead White House press briefings on a rotation, according to the sources.
Several names both inside and outside the administration have been floated since Trump announced earlier this month that Leavitt would leave her post to spend more time with her family, but two of CBS News’ sources said there are no front-runners yet.
One name that has been suggested is Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator for CNN who is constantly making headlines by sparring with his panelists.
Jennings, a former staffer for Mitch McConnell, became an early favorite for the role, CNN reported Thursday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, who CBS News says is involved in the search for the new press secretary, recently met with Jennings at a Washington, D.C. steakhouse, according to two of CNN’s sources.
Earlier this month, when Jennings’ fellow panelists on CNN NewsNight asked if he’d be up for the role, he said, “I don’t know.”
Katie Miller, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, has also been floated as a potential replacement.
Miller has worked in politics before as a press person for the Homeland Security Department and former Vice President Mike Pence. She currently hosts The Katie Miller Podcast, which several administration officials have made appearances on, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
There was also speculation that Trump’s former personal attorney, Alina Habba, could be on the White House’s list, but she has put those rumors to rest.
“Flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I’m not in the running for any job. However, if I’m getting a new one, I’d love for one of these anonymous sources to let me know first,” she wrote on X on August 19. “Fake news remains the undefeated champ…well…until I come at them.”
Several names already inside Trump’s press team have also been floated, including White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.
It’s unclear who Trump is seriously considering for press secretary as he has thrown out multiple names that could fill the role.
When asked by a reporter last Friday who he would want to replace Leavitt, Trump said, “Maybe you.”
“How about Scott Jennings, sir?” another reporter asked. “Scott Jennings is good,” Trump replied.
“I don’t know. Maybe Margo,” Trump added, referring to his communications advisor Margo Martin.
