Newly appointed White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia speaks during her first press briefing in the James Brady Briefing Room.
Katie Zacharia stumbles in her debut White House press briefing
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia stepped to the podium for the first time on Tuesday, delivering what many described as a bumpy and unusually brief performance.
The 41-year-old conservative commentator and former Trump Media adviser replaced Karoline Leavitt and faced immediate scrutiny after a session that lasted only about 14 to 15 minutes.
Katie Zacharia makes Karoline Leavitt seem like Winston Churchill https://t.co/AgFbrCALAq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 13, 2026
Zacharia opened by reading from a thick briefing book, her delivery often described as nervous and halting.
“I am so honored to work for President Trump and the American people as the new White House press secretary,” she said.
“I want to thank President Trump for his trust that he has placed in me. I have wanted to work for him for a very long time.”
She spent roughly eight minutes touting administration achievements, including claims about lower prescription drug prices and record rally attendance, while frequently glancing down at her notes.
She then took questions from just three reporters—all from conservative-leaning outlets: Breitbart, Fox News and the Daily Mail.
When Fox’s Peter Doocy asked whether the United States had stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, Zacharia replied, “I will have to get back to you on that.”
She later announced that the administration had asked US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign, saying, “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”
The most memorable moment came when a reporter asked how she would balance the high-pressure job with raising four children.
“The idea of not spending evenings with my kids is completely unacceptable,” she said, before slipping: “So my president—excuse me, my husband. That’s a good one.”
The mix-up drew laughter in the room. She recovered by praising Trump as “the most family-friendly President we’ve ever had.”
Zacharia abruptly ended the briefing, citing the president’s departure.
“In fact, I am going to end it because President Trump is heading out to Marine One for our historic trip to Alaska, and we can ask him all of the questions out there,” she said.
Trump did not leave for more than an hour afterward.
ROFL - You can hear laughter in the room as Katie Zacharia flees the podium after just a few questions. https://t.co/i93rNb4GVz
— Donk Media ™ (@donkoclock) October 13, 2026
Critics online and in media circles quickly labeled the appearance awkward, stilted and, in some cases, a “word salad.”
One White House official cited by US media reportedly called the performance “brutal,” while another said she “got off on the wrong foot” and needed to improve quickly or risk a short tenure.
President Trump defended his new spokeswoman, telling reporters afterward, “I thought she was very good.”
White House communications director Steven Cheung called her “a fabulous and wonderful addition to the team.”
Katie Zacharia's first press briefing was brutally bad Trump managed to find a press secretary who can barely read, but she does have the number one qualification -- looking like Ivanka Here's a supercut from Zacharia's first briefing, which made Karoline Leavitt seem like Ronald Reagan
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 13, 2026
Zacharia herself later responded to criticism by saying she was “grateful to serve President Trump as Press Secretary, and I will diligently and effectively amplify his successful agenda.”
