Politics

Here’s Who Could Replace White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Amber Athey Podcast Columnist
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President Donald Trump announced Thursday that White House press secretary Sarah Sanders is resigning her post at the end of June, sparking rumors about her potential replacement.

Several possible names have been floated in reports. (RELATED: White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders Resigning)

Here’s the latest:

Mollie Hemingway

Federalist Editor Mollie Hemingway on Fox News (Fox News Screenshot)

Federalist Editor Mollie Hemingway on Fox News (Fox News Screenshot)

Hemingway, a senior editor at The Federalist and a Fox News contributor, may be in consideration for the role. Hemingway gained major prominence over the past two years for her reporting and commentary on the origins of the Mueller investigation and the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Hogan Gidley

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 31: White House press secretary Sarah Sanders walks with deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley at the White House May 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. Sanders responded to questions this morning about potential tariffs with Mexico announced by U.S. President Donald Trump last night via Twitter. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders walks with deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley … (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Gidley has served as the White House deputy press secretary for the past two and a half years, making him a natural replacement for Sanders. Gidley reportedly has 4:1 betting odds of becoming the next press secretary, although White House officials told CBS News that they don’t believe Sanders’ replacement will come from the current press office.

Stephanie Grisham

U.S. first lady Melania Trump’s Communications Director Stephanie Grisham works on her smartphone as she stands on the White House colonnade before an event to celebrate the anniversary of first lady Melania Trump's “Be Best” initiative in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. first lady Melania Trump’s Communications Director Stephanie Grisham … (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Trump is also a fan of First Lady Melania Trump’s current spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, who has been with the president’s team since the campaign days. Grisham has aggressively defended Melania against negative press reports, perhaps making her a natural fit for Trump’s press shop.

Tony Sayegh

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (L) delivers a speech next to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Tony Sayegh, during the G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, in Buenos Aires, on March 20, 2018.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (L) delivers a speech next to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs … (JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

Sayegh is leaving his job as the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Treasury Department and is a former Fox News contributor. He is close with other members of the administration, who attended his goodbye party on Thursday night.

However, reports say Sayegh intends to move back to New York, making it unlikely he would take the DC-based role.

Morgan Ortagus

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 10: U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus speaks during a media briefing at the State Department June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed topics including the latest development on tension with Iran. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus speaks during a media briefing at the State Department June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed topics including the latest development on tension with Iran. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Ortagus recently joined the administration as the State Department spokeswoman and is a former Fox News contributor and national co-chair of Maverick PAC. A source told the Washington Examiner that Ortagus might be a contender for Sanders’ spot.

Of course, the president could completely buck the predictions from the media. Other potential contenders might include a Fox News host (i.e. Ainsley Earhardt), a campaign spokesperson (i.e. Kayleigh McEnany), or another seasoned press shop official (i.e. Mercedes Schlapp).

At least two people have been completely ruled out. Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer told MSNBC on Friday that he would not return to the role if asked, and Trump told Fox News that he does not intend on re-hiring former WH communications director Anthony Scaramucci.

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