White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia Fired After Five Days
Published On 17 Oct, 2026
9 News HD: Katie Zacharia has left her role as White House press secretary after just five days on the job, following criticism of her first press briefing and questions about her professional background.
US President Donald Trump had selected Zacharia for the position after Karoline Leavitt left the role. However, her time at the White House was short after her first appearance before reporters drew criticism.
Zacharia held her first press briefing on October 13. The session lasted around 14 minutes, and she answered questions from only three journalists. Her performance quickly became a topic of discussion in the media.
She also faced questions about her legal qualifications after Trump described her as an attorney when announcing her appointment. Zacharia later confirmed in a Fox News interview that she had not passed the bar exam required to practise law in the United States.
The questions about her background, along with criticism of her first briefing, added pressure during her first week in the job.
On October 16, Trump told reporters that he had advised Zacharia to reconsider the position. He said the media had treated her unfairly and suggested that the demanding role might not be right for her.
Reports later confirmed that she was leaving the position. Trump also said he was not in a hurry to name a replacement.
Zacharia’s departure marks an unusually brief period in one of the White House’s most visible communication roles. The press secretary is responsible for answering journalists’ questions and sharing the administration’s position on important issues.
Her quick exit has drawn attention in Washington, particularly as the Trump administration faces a busy political period ahead of the US midterm elections.
