New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia holds her first press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, US, October 13, 2026. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo)
WH Press Secretary Katie Zacharia fired after 5 days
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US White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia was fired on Friday after just five days in the position, according to three people familiar with the matter told the New York Times.
Neither the White House nor Zacharia immediately responded to requests for comment regarding her departure.
US President Donald Trump addressed the matter with reporters on Friday, recounting a conversation in which he suggested that Zacharia step away from the high-profile role.
“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump told reporters, recounting what he said to his press secretary. He added: “Katie, do you need this? I don’t think you need this.”
Zacharia's swift exit followed a difficult start to her tenure, beginning with her first and final official White House press briefing on Tuesday.
Her debut was immediately shadowed by a wave of media coverage examining how she had presented her legal career.
The controversy intensified after US President Trump referred to her publicly as "an attorney," despite records indicating she had failed her bar exam.
The mounting headlines and questions surrounding her credentials ultimately led to her removal less than a week after assuming the spokesperson position.
