Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Katie Zacharia to leave White House press secretary post
Katie Zacharia will leave her job as White House press secretary after a brief time in the role.
President Donald Trump said he had urged her to reconsider, while reports said he had fired her; a senior administration official confirmed she would leave.
Questions about her credentials grew after she acknowledged failing the US bar exam, despite having described herself as an attorney.
Her first press briefing was also widely criticized as hesitant and poorly prepared.
Her departure follows criticism from both right and left, including tough questions in interviews on Fox News.
The press secretary speaks for the president and answers reporters’ questions, making credibility and command of the briefing room important to the job.
No date for her departure was announced, and Trump said he would leave the decision to her.
Katie Zacharia is leaving her White House press secretary post after five days, according to reports confirmed by a White House official.
President Donald Trump said he had advised her to reconsider the role and that the media had treated her badly.
Her first briefing drew criticism after it lasted about 15 minutes and included only three questions.
Questions over her credentials intensified after she acknowledged that she had not passed the bar exam.
- Who
- Katie Zacharia, the White House press secretary, is leaving the role.
- What
- She is “transitioning out” of the job after five days.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- The White House, in Washington.
- Why
- Reports link her departure to criticism of her first briefing and questions about her legal credentials.
President Donald Trump
Critics of Katie Zacharia
Aspect
President Donald Trump
Trump said the media had treated Zacharia badly and that she should not have to suffer.
Critics of Katie Zacharia
Critics questioned her credentials and criticized her first briefing.
Credentials
President Donald Trump
Trump said he had not hired her as a lawyer and that her credentials were not an issue.
Critics of Katie Zacharia
Zacharia acknowledged she had not passed the bar exam after previously describing herself as a lawyer.
Zacharia held her first White House press briefing, which lasted about 15 minutes and included three questions.
Zacharia said in a Fox News interview that she had not passed the bar exam.
Trump told reporters he had advised Zacharia to reconsider the role.
A White House official confirmed that Zacharia was “transitioning out” of the post.
- Time in role
- Five days
- First briefing
- About 15 minutes; three questions
- Bar exam
- Zacharia said she had not passed
- Predecessor
- Karoline Leavitt
- Replacement
- Not stated
12 sources
Katie Zacharia is out as press secretary, White House says
آخر تصريح لها السخرية من "مراحيض الصين".. متحدثة ترامب الجديدة تغادر البيت الأبيض
White House press secretary out after less than a week
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia fired after five days on the job
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia fired, reports say
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China bar exam row sinks Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia after just 5 days
„Vielleicht ist das einfach nichts für sie“ Trump legt Pressesprecherin Zacharia nahe, Posten wieder abzugeben
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What people are saying
I don’t think Katie should be made to suffer like she’s suffering at the hands of the press
I told her: 'Honestly, if I were you, I would reconsider.' Maybe it's not for her
I did not.
The fact that there was that major credibility issue as well as a shaky performance is what sealed her fate.
Posts on X
ZACHARIA IS ON THE WAY OUT ALREADY 👇 Q: Would you have liked to have known that Katie Zacharia didn't pass the bar? TRUMP: Katie has been treated very badly by the media. Very very badly. Very unfair. I just asked her, is this for you? And she's a nice person. I'm going to let