WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has ousted White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days on the job, bringing an abrupt end to one of the shortest tenures in the history of the position following a turbulent week marked by questions about her professional qualifications and performance.
Zacharia, who was appointed to replace Karoline Leavitt, departed the role Friday, October 16, according to multiple reports. Her removal came hours after Trump publicly suggested she reconsider whether she wanted to remain in the high-profile position.
The president defended Zacharia against media criticism while acknowledging the intense scrutiny she has faced since taking the podium.
“The news has been so nasty to her. I’ve never seen anything like it actually,” Trump told reporters Friday.
Trump said he encouraged Zacharia to reconsider the position, suggesting the job’s pressures might not be worth enduring.
Despite her departure, Trump has indicated that Zacharia could remain involved in his administration in another capacity.
Zacharia’s tenure began October 12, just three days after Trump announced her appointment as White House press secretary.
Her first official briefing the following day immediately drew attention for its unusually short duration and her hesitant delivery.
During the approximately 14-minute appearance, Zacharia delivered prepared remarks praising Trump’s administration before taking questions from just three reporters, all representing conservative-leaning or Trump-friendly news outlets.
The briefing prompted criticism across political and media circles, including concerns about her readiness to serve as the administration’s principal spokesperson.
Zacharia later defended the abbreviated appearance, explaining that she wanted to leave sufficient time for Trump to answer questions from reporters himself.
She also said White House staff had not fully briefed her ahead of the appearance.
Beyond her performance in the briefing room, Zacharia faced mounting scrutiny over how she had represented her professional background.
A graduate of Pepperdine University’s law school, Zacharia had previously described herself as a lawyer during television appearances and in professional settings.
However, reporting revealed that she was not licensed to practice law in any U.S. state.
During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Zacharia acknowledged that she had taken and failed the California bar examination and had not attempted it again.
Zacharia’s departure leaves the administration searching for another chief spokesperson just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections.
The timing is particularly consequential as Trump and Republicans seek to maintain their political momentum during the final stretch of the campaign.
