Article By David Lindfield
Katie Zacharia is leaving her position as White House press secretary after just five days on the job, following a difficult debut briefing and questions about her legal credentials, according to reports.
President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he encouraged Zacharia to reconsider the job.
A senior White House official said she is “transitioning out” of the role.
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to… I think you should reconsider,” Trump said he told Zacharia.
WATCH:
BREAKING: White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is "transitioning out" of her role, a senior White House official tells @pdoocy . President Trump denies firing her, telling reporters, "No no. I want her to have a good life… she’s been brutalized by the media." Trump says he encouraged Zacharia to reconsider staying in the job just minutes before speaking to reporters, telling her, "You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to." @AmericaRpts
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 16, 2026
Trump Says Zacharia Was ‘Brutalized by the Media’
Speaking on the South Lawn, Trump acknowledged that the demanding position might not suit Zacharia.
“Maybe it’s not for her,” Trump said.
Asked whether he had fired her, the president rejected that characterization.
“No no. I want her to have a good life,” Trump said.
“She’s been brutalized by the media,” he added.
WATCH:
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump says KATIE ZACHARIA might STEP DOWN as Press Secretary, declares she’s being treated unfairly "I said to her, if I were you, I’d reconsider." "Is this for you Katie? Honestly, you don’t need this." "She said, this is a lot tougher. Welcome to the world of Trump. I’ll let her make that decision." "I said — Katie, is this for you? She’s been treated very rough. She’s a nice person. I watched her for years." "She was on Hannity last night. Sean was a little tough, I saw Fox and Friends. She’s been treated, I’d say, pretty nastily. I said to Katie two minutes ago — you don’t have to do this if you don’t want it." "I just want her to be happy." @KatieZacharia has been on the job for less than a week. Trump is right, they’ve been OUT FOR HER 47 is understanding. Press sec is NOT for everybody Clearly Trump is NOT firing or ousting her, he’s giving her a chance. Right now, his focus is on rallies
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 16, 2026
Zacharia was appointed on October 11 and held her first briefing on October 13.
The appearance lasted 14 minutes, with questions from three journalists.
Her debut included several verbal stumbles, including referring to her husband as “my president” before correcting herself.
By comparison, Karoline Leavitt’s first briefing lasted nearly 47 minutes, and Sean Spicer’s ran approximately 79 minutes.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ first briefing as press secretary lasted about 23 minutes.
Zacharia Defends Preparation, Addresses Bar Exam
During a Thursday appearance on “Hannity,” Zacharia said she had little time to prepare before facing the press corps.
“What I feel is I really stepped up to the plate with very little prep time,” Zacharia said.
“Given the fact that I’d 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.”
She also acknowledged that she did not pass the bar exam and never obtained a U.S. law license after being questioned about describing herself as an attorney.
“I had already pre-registered for the bar exam, and basically during the summer, I knew I would be living in China, and the result of the bar would be inconsequential,” Zacharia said.
“I sat for it because I didn’t want to have a withdraw status.”
Trump had described Zacharia as an attorney when announcing her appointment.
Departure Follows Public White House Support
The announcement comes two days after the White House publicly defended Zacharia against criticism comparing her tenure to Anthony Scaramucci’s 10-day stint as communications director in 2017.
“Getting behind the podium is tough, but she got off on the wrong foot,” an unnamed White House official told MS NOW.
“She needs to get much better, fast, otherwise she’ll break Scaramucci’s record.”
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded Wednesday with a strong endorsement.
“Katie is a fabulous and wonderful addition to the team,” Cheung said.
“She is uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people about all the great things President Trump and his Administration have been doing, and she will do an incredible job as Press Secretary.”
The @PressSec account on X, previously operated by Leavitt before becoming the White House Press Office account, never switched to Zacharia and has not posted since October 7.
Before her appointment, Zacharia served as a senior communications adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group.
She also previously worked as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs and a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security.
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