Ben Ferguson Press Secretary Frontrunner as Trump Closes In on His Pick

Conservative radio host and CNN commentator Ben Ferguson has emerged as the frontrunner to become White House press secretary, Fox News Digital reported on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, as President Donald Trump closes in on a pick. The Ben Ferguson press secretary report comes a month after the post fell vacant, and only days after UFC president Dana White turned down the same job.

People close to the president told Fox News Digital that Ferguson's name "has been brought up to the president by many people" and that Trump's "instincts are to pick a man". But one source cautioned that "POTUS is not sold on the idea" yet, and Ferguson told Sean Hannity on Tuesday night that he has not spoken directly to the president about the job.

Key Points

• Ben Ferguson, 45, is the frontrunner to become White House press secretary, Fox News Digital reported on November 10, 2026.
• Sources close to Trump say his "instincts are to pick a man" for the job, but caution that he is "not sold on the idea" yet.
• Ferguson hosts the nationally syndicated "The Ben Ferguson Show" and is a CNN political commentator; he told Sean Hannity he has not spoken directly to Trump about the post.
• Also in contention: Scott Jennings, Steven Cheung, Matthew Boyle and former press secretary Ari Fleischer.
• The job has been vacant since mid-October: Katie Zacharia left after five days, and Dana White declined Trump's offer.

What Happened

The report, by Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca and Katelyn Caralle, says Trump intends to choose someone soon and values the role. Ferguson is pursuing the job and the president is aware of his interest, the sources said. No offer has been made, no decision has been announced, and the White House has not confirmed the reporting.

Ferguson addressed the speculation on Tuesday night, telling Sean Hannity he has not spoken directly to the president about the job. The race stays open: being the frontrunner among people around Trump is not the same as having the job. The other names show how wide the search still is: Jennings is a familiar cable-news face, Cheung works inside the White House, Boyle runs a leading conservative outlet, and Fleischer held the job under George W. Bush.

Background: A Month Without a Press Secretary

Karoline Leavitt stepped down in August to focus on her family, and her successor, Katie Zacharia, served only five days, from October 12 to 16 — the shortest tenure in the role's history. Zacharia was announced on October 9, and Trump reportedly told her: "if I were you, I'd reconsider."

Trump then turned to an unlikely name: on November 7 he announced on Truth Social that he had offered the job to UFC president Dana White, writing: "Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!" White declined, a source told CNN on November 8, and a White House aide said Trump had been joking. US News Pulse reported both the offer and the rejection. The last man to hold the job was Sean Spicer, in the first year of Trump's first term. The vacancy matters more now: Democrats won both chambers on November 3 and take control in January, promising investigations the next press secretary must answer for daily.

Why Ben Ferguson Leads the Press Secretary Race

Ferguson fits the profile Trump has favoured for the podium: a combative broadcaster who defends the president on air and speaks directly to his base. His nationally syndicated "The Ben Ferguson Show" and CNN commentator role give him rare reach across conservative radio and mainstream cable news.

The reporting also points to a personal preference: Trump's "instincts are to pick a man", sources said. The last man in the role was Sean Spicer, in Trump's first term; every press secretary since has been a woman. Still, the frontrunner tag carries a warning: Trump is "not sold on the idea" yet, the same sources said, and Ferguson has not spoken to him directly, leaving room for a rival — or another surprise, as with the Dana White offer.

Reactions and Quotes

The clearest signal comes from people around the president. One source told Fox News Digital that Ferguson's name "has been brought up to the president by many people" — a sign his candidacy has backing inside Trump's circle, even if the president has not signed off. Ferguson was careful on air, telling Hannity he has not spoken directly to Trump about the job — neither claiming the role nor ruling himself out.

The White House has made no separate staffing announcement. The Dana White episode showed how fast the picture can change: Trump offered White the job on Truth Social, saying "We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left", and Communications Director Steven Cheung cheered it on — "Hell yeah! Do it, @DanaWhite!" — yet White declined within a day.

Why It Matters

The press secretary is the public face of the White House, and the daily briefing is where the administration's message is tested in public. A month without a permanent spokesperson has left the job to deputies and the president himself, and the choice will set the tone for the second half of Trump's term.

The timing raises the stakes: with Democrats taking Congress in January and promising oversight, the briefing room becomes the first line of defence on the war with Iran and the economy. A combative broadcaster such as Ferguson would signal Trump wants a fighter at the podium; a traditional communications professional would signal a steadier approach.

What Happens Next

Trump is expected to decide soon, the Fox News Digital sources said, though no date has been announced. If Ferguson is chosen, the announcement will likely come via a White House statement or a Truth Social post, the route Trump used for the Dana White offer. The post needs no Senate confirmation, so a new press secretary could take the podium within days. If Trump passes on Ferguson, Jennings, Cheung, Boyle and Fleischer remain in play — and the briefing room has already waited a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ben Ferguson?

Ben Ferguson, 45, is a conservative commentator who hosts the nationally syndicated "The Ben Ferguson Show" and appears as a CNN political commentator.

Has Trump offered Ben Ferguson the press secretary job?

No. Fox News Digital reported on November 10 that Ferguson is the frontrunner, but no offer has been announced, and he says he has not spoken directly to the president about the job.

Who else is in contention for White House press secretary?

Scott Jennings, Steven Cheung, Matthew Boyle and former press secretary Ari Fleischer are also said to be in the running.

Why has the press secretary job been vacant?

Karoline Leavitt stepped down in August to focus on her family, her successor Katie Zacharia left after five days in October, and UFC president Dana White declined Trump's offer in November.

When will Trump choose a new press secretary?

Trump intends to choose soon, sources told Fox News Digital, but no date has been announced.