This was shocking to see.
President Donald Trump will soon have a major decision to make inside the White House — and a familiar conservative voice is suddenly attracting attention as a possible replacement for outgoing press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
CNN political commentator Scott Jennings has emerged as the betting favorite to become Trump’s next White House press secretary after another prominent Trump ally publicly removed herself from consideration.
Leavitt, 28, recently announced that she will leave the high-profile position at the end of August after returning from maternity leave. She plans to spend more time with her two young children, bringing an end to a tenure that made her one of the most recognizable members of the Trump administration.
Now the question in Washington is simple: Who will Trump choose to replace her?
Alina Habba Rules Herself Out
One name initially attracting considerable attention was Alina Habba, a longtime Trump ally who currently serves as senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys.
Habba previously represented Trump as his personal attorney and became a prominent television surrogate during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.
Her legal background, familiarity with Trump and experience handling combative media interviews made her an obvious subject of speculation once Leavitt announced her departure.
Prediction-market traders on Kalshi at one point gave Habba roughly a 35% chance of getting the job.
But Habba has now made clear that she is not pursuing the position.
In a post on X, Habba said she was “flattered” by the prediction-market attention but was not competing for another job. She also joked about anonymous sources apparently knowing about her supposed career plans before she did.
Habba concluded her message with another criticism of what she called “fake news.”
Her decision appears to remove one of the most recognizable Trump loyalists from the unofficial competition.
Habba Has Been a Longtime Trump Defender
Habba’s name being mentioned was hardly surprising.
Before joining the administration, she was one of Trump’s most visible attorneys and frequently defended him during his legal battles. She also campaigned on his behalf during the 2024 presidential race.
After Trump returned to the White House, Habba served briefly as counselor to the president before becoming interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey.
Her continued service as acting U.S. attorney later became the subject of a legal dispute. A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that her service in the position was unlawful, and Habba subsequently left the post.
She was later named senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys.
This also was not the first time Habba had been discussed as a potential White House press secretary.
Following Trump’s 2024 election victory, speculation surfaced that she could be considered for the position eventually given to Leavitt. Habba said at the time that she appreciated the consideration but believed she could contribute more effectively in other roles.
Scott Jennings Suddenly Moves to the Front
With Habba publicly ruling herself out, Scott Jennings has emerged as the new betting favorite on Kalshi.
For many conservative television viewers, Jennings is already a familiar face.
The Republican commentator regularly appears on CNN, where he frequently finds himself defending conservative positions and challenging liberal commentators during political panel discussions.
Jennings previously worked as an aide to President George W. Bush and has years of experience in Republican politics and political communications.
His name was also reportedly discussed for the White House press secretary position following Trump’s 2024 election victory before Trump ultimately selected Leavitt.
Perhaps more importantly, Jennings has received public praise from Trump himself.
The president has promoted Jennings’ book and previously described the commentator as a “patriot” who “gets it.”
That relationship is fueling fresh speculation about whether Jennings could make the jump from cable television to the White House briefing room.
Still, prediction-market odds are not evidence that Trump has made a decision, and no official announcement naming Jennings as Leavitt’s successor has been made.
Another Trump Insider Could Have an Advantage
Jennings is not the only potential contender drawing attention.
Anna Kelly, Leavitt’s deputy, has also emerged as one of the leading names in the prediction market.
Kelly could offer something particularly valuable to the administration: continuity.
As a member of Trump’s existing communications operation, she is already familiar with the White House, the administration’s priorities and the demands of responding to an aggressive national press corps.
That experience could become important as Trump decides whether to select a nationally recognizable conservative communicator or promote someone already working inside his administration.
Other political and media figures have also been floated publicly, leaving Trump with several possible directions.
Trump’s Choice Could Matter Heading Into the Midterms
The next White House press secretary will inherit one of the most visible and demanding jobs in Washington.
The administration continues to face major questions involving the economy, inflation, immigration, border security, foreign policy, national security and the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Trump will likely want a spokesperson capable of explaining his policies to millions of Americans while also standing firm during contentious exchanges with reporters.
That combination of political knowledge, television experience and an established relationship with the president could play a major role in the final decision.
Former Trump White House press secretary Sean Spicer has suggested that Trump’s existing relationship with the eventual nominee will be particularly important.
According to Spicer, the next person behind the podium will likely be someone who already has a strong relationship with the president and understands how Trump wants his agenda communicated to the American public.
Who Will Trump Pick?
For now, the race remains unsettled.
Habba says she is out. Jennings has risen to the top of the prediction market. Kelly remains another notable possibility.
And Trump could still surprise Washington by choosing someone who has received far less attention.
Whoever gets the job will have substantial shoes to fill.
Leavitt became a highly visible defender of the Trump administration and helped bring alternative and newer media outlets into the White House briefing process. Her successor will be expected to defend Trump’s policies while navigating an often-hostile media environment during a crucial stretch of his second term.
With the midterm elections approaching and political battles intensifying in Washington, Trump’s choice for his next press secretary could become far more consequential than an ordinary personnel change.
The big question now is whether Trump will turn to a familiar television defender like Scott Jennings, promote from within his White House communications team, or once again make a choice that catches Washington by surprise.
