Katie Zacharia leaves White House press secretary role after five days
President Trump's newly appointed press secretary is transitioning out of the position following a brief tenure marked by questions over her legal credentials and a short first briefing.
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Katie Zacharia is leaving the role of White House press secretary after five days, the shortest tenure in the position in modern memory, according to White House officials and statements from President Donald Trump.
Trump told reporters on 16 October that he had spoken with Zacharia and encouraged her to reconsider the job. He recounted saying, "Honestly, if I were you, I'd reconsider. Katie, do you need this? I don't think you need this." He added that she might continue working for him "in some form, but maybe a more pleasant form."
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Zacharia is transitioning into a new role that will be announced later. Multiple outlets reported that she had been forced out or fired, with officials confirming she was "let go" or "transitioning out."
Zacharia held her first and only press briefing on 13 October. It lasted under 15 minutes. She read largely from a script and took a limited number of questions. Subsequent appearances, including an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, drew criticism for delivery.
Questions also arose about her professional background. Trump had described her as an attorney when announcing the appointment. Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University law school in 2011 and took the California bar exam but did not pass it. On 15 October she confirmed on Fox News that she had failed the exam and never retook it. She had previously referred to herself as a lawyer in social media posts.
She succeeded Karoline Leavitt, who left the role in August after the birth of her second child. Zacharia had worked as a commentator on Newsmax and Fox News and briefly as a deputy assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security. She received the offer around 7 October.
The departure comes less than three weeks before the midterm elections. Anthony Scaramucci, who held a communications role for 11 days in 2017, posted on X offering support and noting the short tenure.
Trump has not announced a replacement. Officials said there was no immediate rush to fill the position.
