Katie Zacharia has left her position as White House press secretary after just five days on the job, following a difficult first week that raised questions about her performance and professional credentials.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday, October 16, that he planned to discuss a new role with Zacharia, suggesting she should not have to endure the criticism she had faced from the press.
“I said, ‘When I get back, we’re going to talk,'” Trump said. “Because I don’t think that Katie should be made to suffer like she’s suffering at the hands of the press.”
According to reports by Fox News and The New York Times, Zacharia was leaving the position later on Friday. She had been appointed by Trump on October 9, replacing Karoline Leavitt, who left the role to become a Fox News contributor.
Zacharia’s brief tenure was marked by controversy, beginning with her first press briefing on Tuesday.
Questions about her professional background also attracted attention after she acknowledged that she had not passed the bar examination and was not licensed to practise law, despite describing herself as a lawyer. She maintained that her law degree supported her use of the title.
The controversy intensified during her television appearances on Fox News. On Thursday, host Sean Hannity questioned her credentials and challenged her handling of the press briefing.
Zacharia defended her performance, saying she had received limited preparation time before facing reporters.
“What I feel is I really stepped up to the plate to do the press conference, Sean, with very little prep time,” she said.
“Given the fact I had been on the job less than maybe eight hours, and had a briefing book in the morning, I feel like I did my very best, Sean, to deliver for the American people that day.”
During another appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday, Zacharia was asked whether she still had the president’s confidence. She responded that she hoped to build trust with those around her.
However, Trump later indicated that he had advised her to reconsider remaining in the role.
Her departure has drawn comparisons with Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House communications director for 11 days during Trump’s first administration in 2017.
