Stephen A. Smith’s meeting with Trump fuels press secretary speculation

Stephen A. Smith has ruled out becoming Trump’s press secretary after a White House visit fuelled speculation about the vacant role.

Sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith has ruled out becoming Donald Trump’s next press secretary after a surprise visit to the White House on Thursday sparked speculation.

According to The US Sun, the ESPN star was spotted heading into the West Wing just weeks after a private dinner with the president, as Trump searches for someone to fill the vacant role.

The position has been vacant since Katie Zacharia left after just five days in the job. She had replaced Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down to focus on her family. CNN commentator Scott Jennings has also been mentioned as a possible replacement.

Smith, for his part, quickly shut down the rumours after spending 40 minutes with Trump. He told NewsNation there was “no way in hell” he would take the job.

He said he met the president to interview him for his YouTube show, The Stephen A. Smith Show.

With Smith ruling himself out, the hunt for Trump’s next press secretary goes on.