Fact Check: Are Democrats 'afraid' that Scott Jennings could be Trump's next press secretary?
WASHINGTON, DC: The possibility that Scott Jennings may be the next White House Press Secretary has sparked speculation online after Karoline Leavitt's departure from the role. Amid the discussion, a claim that Democrats are “afraid” of Jennings taking the position has gone viral. Let's fact-check the claim.
Claim: Democrats are 'afraid' that Scott Jennings could be the next WH Press Secretary
.@karolineleavitt has been the greatest White House Press Secretary in the last 30 years. She’s been nothing short of brilliant. pic.twitter.com/C8WXPHlWF9
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) August 13, 2026
The rumor began after former South Carolina state Rep Bakari Sellers (D) joked on Wednesday, August 12, that Democrats are “afraid” of fellow CNN political commentator Scott Jennings becoming the next White House Press Secretary.
During a discussion on 'CNN NewsNight,' Sellers told the panel, including Jennings, “Democrats are afraid of Scott Jennings becoming press secretary. There you go. Now you’ve got the job.”
Other CNN panelists then asked Jennings whether he would replace White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt; Jennings initially answered, “No.”
Jennings previously worked on two campaigns for former President George W Bush and served as an adviser to Sen Mitch McConnell (R-Ky).
He has been CNN’s main conservative political commentator since 2017. He was also reportedly considered for the White House press secretary position in 2024 after Trump won a second term.
During the discussion, Jennings also praised Leavitt for leaving her 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.
Fact Check: The claim is misleading
The claim is misleading. There is evidence that Scott Jennings is being considered for the White House Press Secretary role, and recent reports describe him as a leading contender.
However, there is no evidence that Democrats as a group are “afraid” of him becoming press secretary.
The race to replace Karoline Leavitt began after she announced that she would leave her role at the end of the month to spend more time with her family. Leavitt, 28, gave birth to her second child in May with her husband, 60-year-old Nicholas Riccio.
During a CNN discussion, Jennings also praised Leavitt for her work as press secretary. He said, “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."
He continued, "I don’t know a single Republican in the country who isn’t in awe of and in appreciation of Karoline tonight. So Godspeed on your journey back to your family. You’ve done great stuff."
