Jimmy Fallon Knows Just the Person to Replace Karoline Leavitt — And It’s Someone Who Can ‘Spin Facts’

Jimmy Fallon mocked President Donald Trump’s sudden search for a new press secretary on Thursday night, joking that departing White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt had decided life with a 4-month-old baby sounded “way quieter” than another stretch inside the Trump administration.

Trump confirmed Wednesday that Leavitt will step down at the end of August, just weeks after returning from maternity leave following the birth of her second child.

Her departure leaves the president searching for a new public face for the administration heading into the fall.

“Yeah, between the nonstop White House construction and Trump, she wanted to be around something way quieter: a baby,” Fallon joked during his opening monologue on Thursday’s Tonight Show.

Fallon seized on reports that the president had been surprised by the decision: “Apparently, Trump was caught off guard by Leavitt’s decision. And this is strange, Trump is now blaming her resignation on pool vandals.”

He continued: “Yeah, Trump was surprised by Leavitt’s decision. She was like, ‘I wanted to wait for a good time, but there hasn’t been one, so.’”

The late-night host then turned to the question of who might replace Leavitt, ribbing the president over the qualifications required for one of the most visible jobs in Washington: “Trump’s now looking for a replacement who can spin facts and numbers, so another good option is his doctor.”

As the audience laughed, the host switched into a Trump impression: “’I’m 155 pounds…’”

Fallon also noted reports that CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings has emerged as a favorite for the job.

“Yeah, we’re just lucky Trump turned on his TV to a news channel. We were this close to being Press Secretary Bluey,” Fallon said.

A potential Jennings appointment would move one of cable news’ most prominent pro-Trump voices directly into the White House briefing room as the administration reshuffles its communications team.

Fallon, however, suggested Trump may want to consider something beyond TV performance when filling the position: “Of course when hiring someone, it’s also about personality, you know? You’ve got to think, like, ‘Who am I OK being stuck inside a catering truck with?’”

“You know what I’m saying? You gotta think ahead,” he quipped.

Watch above via NBC.

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