A White House official says Katie Zacharia is transitioning out of the job after a widely criticized first briefing and questions about her legal credentials.
The Katie Zacharia press secretary chapter closed on Friday, October 16, 2026, when a White House official told NPR she was “transitioning out” of her role. President Donald Trump had named her one week earlier to replace Karoline Leavitt. CBS News reported that the exit followed a heavily criticized briefing and questions over whether she had misrepresented herself as a lawyer.
What Officials Said About the Katie Zacharia Press Secretary Exit
NBC News reported that two senior administration officials, another administration official and a source familiar with the decision said she was out after five days. CBS News said two U.S. officials told it she was being removed, and that the New York Times first reported she had been fired. Fox News Digital said a senior White House official described her as leaving after only one press briefing.
CBS News also reported that some staff learned of the change from news coverage. It said sources expect Zacharia to start a new role in the administration. The White House has not said who will take over as White House press secretary.
Why the Trump Press Secretary Left After One Press Briefing
Zacharia held her only press briefing on Tuesday, October 13. According to CBS News, she read prepared remarks for about 10 minutes, then took questions from three outlets: Breitbart, Fox News and the Daily Mail. CBS reported that she later told Fox News host Sean Hannity she had received briefing materials only that morning.
The Hill reported her saying, “I’m being hired as White House press secretary, not White House counsel.” CNN reported that advisers to the president saw her as underprepared.
Before the news broke, CBS said Trump told reporters the press had been harsh and that he advised her to “reconsider” the job.
Questions Over Her Legal Credentials
CBS News reported that Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine Law School but failed the California bar exam in 2011, a fact she acknowledged on Thursday. She told conservative commentator Jack Posobiec she never described herself as an attorney at law, according to CBS. Fox News had described her as an attorney when it reported her selection.
Shortest Tenure Among White House Press Secretary Exits
CNN described the stint as the shortest as White House press secretary in anyone’s memory. CBS News compared the episode to Anthony Scaramucci, who lasted 11 days as communications director in Trump’s first term. Scaramucci said he took no pleasure in the pain of others.
Reuters reported on August 12 that Trump said Karoline Leavitt would leave at the end of that month to spend more time with her family. Fox News reported that Trump had four press secretaries in his first term: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany. For more on the what exactly happened a Katie Zacharia first press briefing read Katie Zacharia Press Secretary Under Fire After Debut Briefing and Bar Questions.
Will Trump Name a New White House Press Secretary?
NBC News reported that two sources familiar with the president’s thinking said a new pick is highly unlikely any time soon. Fox News Digital reported that only two formal briefings took place between Leavitt’s departure and Zacharia’s appointment, led by Vice President JD Vance and Attorney General Todd Blanche.
FAQs
Who is Katie Zacharia and what happened to the Katie Zacharia press secretary job?
Katie Zacharia is a conservative commentator and former Trump Media adviser whom Trump named White House press secretary on October 9, 2026. A White House official said she is transitioning out of the role.
Was Katie Zacharia fired as White House press secretary?
CBS News and NBC News reported she was removed or out after five days. The White House used the phrase “transitioning out” through an unnamed official.
How long was Katie Zacharia White House press secretary?
NBC, CBS, CNN and The Hill reported five days. Fox News Digital reported seven days, counting from her appointment.
Was this the shortest tenure of any Trump press secretary?
CNN called it the shortest stint as White House press secretary in anyone’s memory. No outlet cited an official record.
Why did the Trump press secretary exit happen after one press briefing?
Outlets cited a widely panned October 13 press briefing and questions about her legal background, including a failed 2011 California bar exam.
Who replaces Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary?
The White House has not named a replacement, according to CBS News. NBC reported a new pick is unlikely soon.
What happened to Karoline Leavitt, the previous White House press secretary?
Reuters reported Leavitt would leave at the end of August 2026 to spend more time with her family.