Former South Carolina state Rep. Bakari Sellers joked Wednesday that Democrats are “afraid” of conservative CNN commentator Scott Jennings potentially becoming President Donald Trump’s next White House press secretary following Karoline Leavitt’s announced departure.
“Let me help, Scott,” Sellers told his fellow panelists during CNN’s “NewsNight,” which included Jennings. “Democrats are afraid of Scott Jennings becoming press secretary. There you go. Now you’ve got the job.”
The exchange came as CNN panelists pressed Jennings about whether he could be in line to replace Leavitt, who announced earlier Wednesday that she would leave her position at the end of the month.
Jennings initially responded “no” when asked about taking the job before leaving some uncertainty about what could happen.
“I don’t know,” Jennings said. “But I’ll tell you this: Karoline Leavitt has been maybe the greatest White House press secretary in the last 30 years, at least. She’s been nothing short of brilliant.”
Jennings has served as CNN’s primary conservative analyst since 2017. He previously worked on two presidential campaigns for former President George W. Bush and served as an adviser to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
The commentator was also reportedly under consideration for the White House press secretary position in 2024 after Trump won election to a second term.
Jennings used Wednesday’s discussion to praise Leavitt and her decision to step away from the demanding White House position to spend more time with her family.
Leavitt returned from maternity leave last month after giving birth to her second child in May.
“But I don’t know a single Republican in the country who isn’t in awe of and in appreciation of Karoline tonight,” Jennings said. “So Godspeed on your journey back to your family.”
Leavitt explained her decision in a post Wednesday on X, saying that since returning to the White House she had felt she could not simultaneously give her children and the press secretary position the attention each required.
She said she could not be the best mother her two young children deserved while also providing the “constant time, energy, and attention” demanded by the job.
Leavitt said she would continue advocating for Trump’s MAGA agenda and the Republican Party. She added that Trump had asked her to serve as an outside adviser heading into November’s midterm elections.
Trump announced Leavitt’s departure on Truth Social, saying her decision was one “I totally understand and respect!”
Leavitt was 27 when Trump selected her as press secretary upon returning to the White House, making her the youngest person ever to hold the position. She also made history last year as the first White House press secretary to serve while pregnant.
No successor has been announced. Former Trump spokesperson Mike Dubke said he was “very surprised” that a replacement had not yet been named.
Leavitt was Trump’s fifth press secretary across his two terms, following Sean Spicer, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany.
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