White House press secretary Katie Zacharia fired in less than a week after facing criticism
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has been dismissed after less than a week in the role. Her tenure was marked by a poorly received press briefing and controversy regarding false claims about her legal credentials.
Why it matters
High turnover in key administrative positions can signal instability within a presidential cabinet and impact government communications.
US President Donald Trump told the new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia to “reconsider” her job just days after her first press briefing faced criticism.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026, in Washington. (Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
WASHINGTON: White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia was pushed out Friday (Oct 16) after less than a week in the high-profile job, following a series of blunders that added to distractions for her embattled boss, US President Donald Trump.
"Can confirm," a White House official told AFP, after Fox News reported that Zacharia, 41, was "transitioning out".
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in