CNN contributor Scott Jennings is expected to sign a new deal with the network that should land him a significant pay raise.
Jennings is reportedly finalizing a new contract with CNN, securing his role as a key conservative voice at the left-wing network.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Jennings has been engaged in behind-the-scenes talks for months.
He has been leveraging his high-profile position on CNN’s political panels to secure a lucrative deal.
With Mark Thompson now leading the network, CNN appears to recognize the importance of maintaining a prominent right-leaning commentator.
It comes as media outlets adjust to the political landscape following the 2024 election.
Insiders report that Jennings is expected to receive a significant pay increase.
However, some aspects of the agreement are still being finalized.
A CNN spokesperson declined to comment on Jennings’ contract discussions.
Nevertheless, the network’s decision to retain Jennings underscores CNN’s strategy of featuring conservative perspectives to attract a broader audience.
Jennings is a veteran Republican strategist and former adviser to President George W. Bush.
He has been a regular presence on CNN, frequently providing a counterpoint to the network’s leftist panelists.
His commentary has, at times, led to contentious exchanges with liberal contributors, many of which go viral on social media.
Yet, his presence has also played a role in CNN’s efforts to present a range of viewpoints in an increasingly divided media environment.
Some left-leaning critics argue that Jennings has been overly sympathetic to President Donald Trump and his policies.
However, conservatives see Jennings as one of the few voices pushing back against CNN’s traditionally liberal narratives.
Regardless of political stance, his contract extension signals that CNN views him as a key figure moving forward.
Born in Princeton, Kentucky, Jennings graduated from the University of Louisville in 2000 with a degree in political science.
As a college student, he was a McConnell Scholar and worked as a news anchor for WHAS Radio.
He later played a role in Senator Mitch McConnell’s 2002 re-election campaign and led President Bush’s New Mexico campaign in 2004, helping flip the state to Republican control.
Recently, reports have surfaced suggesting that Jennings is being encouraged by allies to consider a Senate run in Kentucky in 2026.
With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) confirming he will not seek reelection, Jennings’ name has been floated as a potential candidate to fill the seat.
In addition to his political work, Jennings is a partner at RunSwitch PR, a public relations and communications firm.
He joined CNN as a political contributor in 2017, offering conservative analysis on various programs.
By 2019, he had also become a contributing columnist for the Los Angeles Times and joined its editorial board in 2024.
Jennings has been vocal on issues related to the Republican Party’s strategy.
He often defends Trump-era policies and criticizes Democrat positions.
Earlier this week, he clashed with liberal panelists on NewsNight with Abby Phillip, where he defended Trump’s rising popularity.
Despite pushback, Jennings pointed to polling data showing strong Republican support for Trump’s leadership and agenda.
Two months into his second term, Trump has implemented several executive orders focused on dismantling DEI initiatives, tightening border security, and streamlining federal bureaucracy with assistance from Elon Musk.
Jennings has been a vocal supporter of these moves, often emphasizing their alignment with conservative policy priorities.
With his new CNN contract expected to be finalized soon, Jennings is set to remain a central conservative figure in political media, shaping the network’s coverage of the Trump administration and beyond.
