Fox News Hosts Discuss Who Could Replace Karoline Leavitt Following White House Exit
A selection of Fox News hosts have teased who might be replacing Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary when she steps down from the role this month.
The Fox News hosts discussed Karoline Leavitt’s exit (Image: Fox News)
Fox News hosts joked about who could replace Karoline Leavitt as President Donald Trump’s next press secretary, putting themselves – and each other – forward for the high-profile White House role.
During The Five on Thursday, August 13, Greg Gutfeld teased co-host Shannon Bream about reports she could be in the running after Leavitt announced she is exiting her position at the end of the month. Gutfeld told Bream, “Rumor has it, you’re up for the job,” to which Bream responded, “They can’t afford me.”
Leavitt announced on Wednesday, August 12, that she plans to step down as White House press secretary to spend more time with her newborn baby. Trump said he supported her in her choice, describing her departure as “a decision I totally understand and respect.” Rumors of who will replace her have been circulating on social media.
Gutfeld joked that Bream joining the White House could create an influx of former press secretaries at Fox News. He said, “I worry that she’ll come to work at Fox, and now we’ll have three of ’em,” rolling his eyes. The joke referenced Kayleigh McEnany, who served as press secretary during Trump’s first administration, and Dana Perino, who held the role under former President George W. Bush.
Co-host Charlie Hurt was quick to back Bream for the position. “Why?” he explained, “Because she’s a strong woman. And Donald Trump, what does he like to do more than anything else? Empower strong women. He surrounds himself with strong women who are very, very good at their jobs.”
Leavitt will exit her White House role at the end of the month (Image: Getty)
Bream then wondered whether Hurt was suggesting another The Five co-host could take the job. She asked, “Are you suggesting that Jessica [Tarlov] is gonna take the job?” To which Hurt replied, “I was kinda thinking it.”
However, Tarlov quickly dismissed the idea quipping, “My hair is far too dark for that job.” Gutfeld admitted his own reasoning for suggesting Bream was less complicated.
He said, “I picked [Bream] because she’s blonde. That was the only reason.” Tarlov then returned to Hurt’s comments about Trump’s preference for strong women, joking that Bream would fit the bill.
She said, “Looking at beautiful women, and so Shannon would be a wonderful fit.” Attention then turned to Emily Compagno, with Gutfeld suggesting she could also make a strong candidate.
He explained, “I could see you as a dynamite press secretary, right? You were a professional cheerleader for the [Las Vegas] Raiders, defending one of the most dangerous teams on the planet. You also now work at Fox, so you have the talent stack.”
Shannon Bream could take the role (Image: Fox News)
Compagno attempted to reply, “That’s the nicest you’ve ever…” before Gutfeld cut her off to joke, “I’m just trying to get you off this show.” Compagno hit back, “To make room for Karoline,” Bream then came to Compagno’s defence, saying she “would be able to argue anything.”
But Gutfeld played down the difficulty of the job. He said, “Hot take here. Job’s not hard.” Bream then joked, “Okay, Greg’s up next,” before Tarlov raised another possible name for the White House role asking, “So is Jesse [Watters] gonna do it?”
