Trump Considers Multiple Candidates for Press Secretary Role.
Trump has told close advisers he wants a male press secretary to replace Karoline Leavitt, who plans to leave the White House by month's end.
- 4 consecutive female press secretaries preceded this reported preference.
- Jennings met privately with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles over the weekend.
- Jennings sent clips of his cable appearances to several senior White House staffers.
- Ari Fleischer, press secretary under George W. Bush, is also under consideration.
Why it matters: The press secretary is the president's primary public spokesperson, appearing daily before journalists and cameras.
- Trump advisers believe a male pick would reduce direct comparisons to Leavitt.
How 23 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage disagrees on whether Jennings is a serious contender or is visibly overreaching for a position he has not been offered.
Left coverage, 10 sources: The left frames Jennings as nakedly self-promoting — a pundit sending his own clips to staffers and arranging meetings to chase a job he won't publicly admit he wants.
Right coverage, 7 sources: The right frames Jennings as a proven Trump defender who stepped up when it counted and earned legitimate consideration for the role.
What’s next: Trump has been polling allies by phone on whether Jennings fits the role.
- The replacement process is described as slow-moving with no timeline set.
- Whether Trump will ultimately pick Jennings, Fleischer, or someone not yet publicly named.
- Whether Jennings will leave CNN if offered the position.
