President Donald Trump fired White House press secretary Katie Zacharia on Friday, just five days after appointing her to the position, following a rocky debut and growing questions about her qualifications.
Zacharia, a frequent cable news commentator and longtime Trump supporter, was tapped for the job as the White House struggled to defend the administration amid Republican concerns ahead of the midterm elections. Trump had grown frustrated with the lack of public pushback against negative coverage after Karoline Leavitt departed at the end of the summer, according to advisers familiar with the discussions, according to CNN.
The appointment came together quickly. Zacharia was not among the candidates being considered a week before her hiring, but a phone conversation and subsequent visit to Washington led Trump to offer her the position during an Oval Office meeting. Aides then informed White House chief of staff Susie Wiles of the decision. Natalie Harp, a close Trump aide, had spoken favorably of Zacharia, whose public support for the president appealed to Trump.
Problems emerged almost immediately. Zacharia’s first White House briefing Tuesday drew criticism from administration officials who described her delivery as hesitant and her command of the room as lacking. She struggled to answer a question about whether the United States had suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine and later pointed to her announcement of Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation as ambassador to Greece as a significant accomplishment.
The briefing also appeared poorly prepared. Materials were finalized just 90 minutes before Zacharia took the podium, according to people familiar with the preparations.
Her difficulties continued during a trip to Alaska, where she arranged a potential interview between Trump and a Fox News reporter following a rally. Staff cautioned that the president typically avoids such commitments after events. Trump initially rejected the request when Zacharia raised it but eventually agreed, adding to concerns that his new press secretary was unfamiliar with his preferences.
Questions about Zacharia’s credentials compounded the problems. Reports emerged that she had failed the bar exam despite identifying herself as a lawyer or attorney during previous television appearances and on social media. Zacharia acknowledged failing the exam but maintained that she had been advised she could use the term “lawyer.”
The controversy followed her into subsequent Fox News appearances, including a Thursday interview with Sean Hannity that focused on her professional background.
Katie Zacharia can't commit to when her next press briefing will be, saying she's "working in close coordination" with Trump and the comms department to determine the "next best time."
Asked by Fox & Friends if she has the confidence of Trump, she says "I'm standing here" and… pic.twitter.com/oTclGwMyUT
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) October 16, 2026
Trump initially reassured Zacharia during their flight to Alaska that her first briefing had gone well, according to a source familiar with the conversation. By midweek, however, he was privately questioning whether she was prepared for the position. Advisers reportedly offered little support for her performance when Trump sought their opinions.
The president informed Zacharia of his decision Friday, later describing a conversation in which he questioned whether the job was right for her and suggested she might be happier outside the role. A source close to Trump said the president continued to like Zacharia personally. She and her family were scheduled to have dinner with Vice President JD Vance that evening.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung rejected reports of internal turmoil as speculation, saying Zacharia had accepted an important assignment and would continue supporting Trump in another capacity. Zacharia also posted on X that serving the president had been an honor and praised his record.
Trump did not immediately name a replacement, saying numerous people were interested in the position. Her departure leaves the administration without a permanent press secretary as the midterm elections approach.
The five-day tenure also raised questions about the White House’s vetting process. Officials and advisers described a hurried selection driven largely by Trump’s preference for a loyal television defender rather than an extensive review of Zacharia’s qualifications or readiness to manage the daily demands of the White House press corps.
