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By Sam Stevenson
Associate News Editor
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President Donald Trump said during an interview in Florida on Friday that he would consider rap artist Nicki Minaj or conservative media personality Benny Johnson as his next White House press secretary.
Asked by Johnson, a right-wing political commentator and YouTuber, whether Minaj should become press secretary, Trump replied: “That’s a good idea. I’m going to think about that.”
The president then turned to Johnson and said: “How about you? You’d be pretty good, too.”
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Trump’s lighthearted tone left unanswered whether either person is under serious consideration, and raises questions about who the most likely contenders for the role are.
The exchange returns attention to a position that has lacked a permanent occupant for 60 of the past 65 days.
Before Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator and former communications adviser for Trump Media, took office, the White House went 45 days without a press secretary following Karoline Leavitt’s Aug. 27 departure.
Zacharia then lasted five days, leaving the post vacant for a further 15.
Trump had announced Zacharia on Oct. 9 as a “loyal and brilliant supporter,” but her tenure ended after one 14-minute briefing, during which she delivered eight minutes of prepared remarks and took questions from three reporters.
Scrutiny subsequently focused on her legal credentials before the president said he had encouraged her to reconsider the role.
Whoever secures the position will become the administration’s most visible spokesperson, responsible for defending the president’s agenda and answering questions during fast-moving domestic and international events.
Newsweek contacted the White House and every prospective candidate profiled in this article for comment on Saturday.
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Why It Matters
Speculation surrounding Minaj had already grown after White House communications director Steven Cheung posted a video from Air Force One and wrote: “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!” Minaj shared the post with an American flag and a laughing emoji.
That exchange gave the idea social media momentum. The contest itself, however, is more likely to turn on loyalty, familiarity with the president, and the ability to manage the daily demands of the White House press corps.
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What Prediction Markets Say
Kalshi and Polymarket allow users to trade contracts tied to future events, producing prices that can be read as market-implied probabilities rather than verified forecasts.
Anna Kelly, the White House principal deputy press secretary, led both platforms at 19 percent at the time of writing.
CNN political commentator and former George W. Bush adviser Scott Jennings followed at 6 percent on Polymarket and 9 percent on Kalshi. Minaj stood at 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
Harrison Fields, Margo Martin and Natalie Harp, all current or former members of Trump’s orbit, were each priced at 4 percent on Polymarket.
Other names included Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo at 4 percent on Polymarket and 2 percent on Kalshi, Republican communications strategist Elizabeth Pipko at 4 percent and 2 percent, and conservative radio host Ben Ferguson at 5 percent on Kalshi.
More than $5 million had been traded on the Kalshi contract, compared with approximately $335,000 on Polymarket.
Differences between the prices reflect separate pools of traders and liquidity, not confirmed White House deliberations.
All figures were correct as of 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Kelly Offers the Clearest Continuity
Kelly has the most straightforward institutional path to the podium because she is already serving as special assistant to the president and principal deputy press secretary.
A White House financial disclosure record shows that she became principal deputy in 2025 and received the additional special-assistant title in January 2026.
The document also shows that she worked as a transition coordinator before entering the administration.
Promotion would allow Trump to choose someone already involved in the daily operation of the press office.
Fields Has Already Worked Inside the Press Office
Fields returned to the White House in 2025 as special assistant to the president and principal deputy press secretary after previously working as an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first administration.
He has also advised Representative Byron Donalds and handled media relations for the Heritage Foundation.
His federal disclosure additionally lists work as a correspondent for Right Side Broadcasting, giving him experience on both sides of political media interactions.
Martin Brings Longstanding Access
An official disclosure identifies Margo Martin as a special assistant to the president and communications adviser.
Her route to the podium would depend on longstanding access to Trump, rather than progression through the deputy press secretary ranks.
Trump has also floated her publicly in the past. Asked about possible successors earlier in the search, he responded: “Maybe Margo? What do you think of Margo? Maybe Margo.”
That presidential mention carries weight in an appointment ultimately determined by personal confidence.
Still, access behind the scenes does not automatically translate into an appetite for frequent televised briefings and sustained questioning from reporters.
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Jennings Is the Strongest Outside Prospect
Jennings represents a different model: selecting a combative television communicator rather than promoting an administration employee.
His experience as a combative television surrogate could appeal to a White House that values rapid responses and comfort with political confrontation.
On Oct. 17, Jennings led Kalshi’s market at 22.5 percent, with Kelly at 14 percent.
By Saturday, his price had fallen into single digits, showing how sharply trader sentiment has changed without a decision from the president.
He has avoided publicly claiming the job is his. Asked previously about the possibility, Jennings said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” before adding that he had nothing further to say.
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Harp Has Exceptional Presidential Proximity
Harp’s potential candidacy would rest on direct access to Trump rather than traditional press office experience.
Personal trust could be influential, but the role also demands command of administration policy, interagency coordination and sustained questioning from reporters.
Minaj Remains the Celebrity Wildcard
Minaj’s connection with Trump is public and increasingly visible.
She traveled on Air Force One before appearing with him at a Michigan campaign event, where she pledged continued support for the president.
Her vast following would make her unlike any recent White House spokesperson and helps explain why Trump’s playful response traveled far beyond the original interview.
No evidence has emerged that she has been interviewed, vetted or formally approached.
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What Happens Next
The first major point to watch is the Nov. 3 midterm election. A decision on the next permanent press secretary is not expected before then, according to a White House official.
“President Trump and his team are focused on the midterm election,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said when asked about the appointment’s timetable, USA Today reported.
Traders also expect the vacancy to last beyond the midterms but are leaning toward a resolution before the end of the year.
A separate Polymarket contract assigns a 34 percent chance of the administration announcing a permanent replacement by Nov. 30, rising to 67 percent by Dec. 31. Less than 1 percent is attached to an announcement by Oct. 31.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.
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