Conservative CNN commentator Scott Jennings (Photo: Screen capture)
One of those campaigning for the job of White House press secretary is CNN's conservative commentator Scott Jennings, but President Donald Trump still appears to be undecided. Former brief communications director Anthony Scaramucci hinted that Jennings may not be the guy.
The White House press secretary post is still unfilled after Karoline Leavitt left the post to spend more time with her family. Reporters have detailed Trump's calls to friends and allies as he asks how they view Jennings, who three years ago was urging Republicans to get rid of the ex-president. According to Scaramucci, Jennings is no Leavitt.
Those inside the White House aren't too keen on him either, MS NOW reported on Thursday. He was reportedly sending video clips of himself to random White House staff members. The efforts even led The Daily Beast to characterize him as "job hungry."
While Scaramucci was on to talk about his new book, All the Wrong Moves, he was asked about his time in one of those moves to the White House.
CNN co-host Boris Sanchez finished the interview commenting, "It is a fascinating read. I was honestly surprised by some of the takes that you had in it. It seemed counterintuitive for a Wall Street guy such as you call yourself. I do wonder, before we go, the white house has an opening for press secretary. I wonder who you think would best fit that role."
Scaramucci said that there are a lot of people on the list that he's heard thrown around behind the scenes.
"Obviously, one of your colleagues, Scott Jennings, has been talking about it," he name-checked. "I just don't think the president's going to fill that role. I think he likes the rotation of people, and I think he likes being his own spokesperson. But I do think — and I said this to Jake Tapper the other day — knowing Karoline Leavitt, remember, she was there as an intern when I was communications director."
He recalled that she's tough and would have been willing to tell Trump not to shove the press out.
"She would have pushed back on him," said Scaramucci. "So, I'm just wondering if he needs a press secretary in that role, that he trusts. That won't be another 'yes' person around him in the White House, because I think she would have saved him from the, you know, the judge's decision this week and the embarrassment of the whole thing of pulling your and Politico and MS NOW's press credentials."