Scott Jennings has reportedly met privately with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles as he weighs a possible jump from CNN to the White House briefing room.
The conservative commentator is said to be a frontrunner to replace Karoline Leavitt, who will step down as White House press secretary at the end of the month.
Leavitt, who welcomed her second child with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, in May, said she is leaving the role to spend more time with her family.
Jennings has declined to say whether he wants the job, including when he was pressed about the possibility on CNN.
The Daily Mail reported that Jennings met with Wiles to discuss the position before Leavitt publicly announced her departure. Jennings, who also works as a columnist for the outlet, has met with Wiles at least once more since then, according to three sources familiar with the selection process.
One source said Jennings and Wiles “speak often.”
Another said the job is “his if he wants it,” and that “he does.”
The latest reported meeting took place over the weekend at Morton’s steakhouse in Washington, D.C., not far from the White House.
POLL: Was Karoline Leavitt Trump’s Best Press Secretary?
At the same time, other contenders were reportedly trying to get President Donald Trump’s attention at an event at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
“They were all trying to get in front of him this weekend. It was like The Apprentice,” one insider stated.
The White House denied that any meetings between Jennings and Wiles took place. Jennings has not publicly addressed the reported discussions.
The Daily Beast first reported that the CNN NewsNight panelist was a frontrunner for the position, though the selection process remains unsettled.
Insiders told the Mail that Trump would prefer to select another woman as press secretary.
Other reported contenders include Department of Homeland Security press secretary Katie Zacharia, former DHS press secretary Tricia McLaughlin, Republican National Committee spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko and Housing chief Bill Pulte.
Former Trump attorney Alina Habba was seen as a frontrunner before she shot down the speculation on Wednesday evening.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, Breitbart D.C. bureau chief Matthew Boyle and former Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Davari are also reportedly in the running.
POLL: Will You Support Trump And His Candidates In The Midterms?
