Katie Zacharia out as White House Press Secretary just hours after President Trump tells her to reconsider her role after rocky debut

President Donald Trump is already questioning whether Katie Zacharia should remain White House press secretary, just days after appointing her to the high-profile role. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he had urged Zacharia to think carefully about whether she wanted to continue. Her first briefing drew criticism, and questions about her legal credentials have added to the pressure.

What did Trump tell Katie Zacharia about leaving the job?

Donald Trump said he spoke to Zacharia shortly before addressing reporters outside the White House on Friday. He suggested that the demanding role might not be right for her. The inputs are taken from WSJ, BBC, Advocate and Fox News.


"‘Katie, you know, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want,’” Trump told reporters.

He also said he had advised her to reconsider the position. “Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump said he told her.

The president stopped short of saying he had fired her. Instead, he said Zacharia would decide whether to stay and that he wanted her to be happy.

“No no. I want her to have a good life,” he said when asked whether he had dismissed her.

Trump also defended Zacharia against the criticism she has faced. “She’s been brutalized by the media,” he said.

He added that he would speak with her again after returning to Washington. The White House schedule listed his return for Sunday.

A difficult first week at the White House

Zacharia was named press secretary on October 9 and held her first briefing on October 13. The session lasted 14 minutes, during which she took just three questions.

Her debut drew attention after several verbal stumbles, including a moment when she mistakenly referred to her husband as “my president” before correcting herself.

Criticism continued after the briefing, with questions also raised about her legal credentials.

What did Zacharia say about her legal background?

During an appearance on Fox News' Hannity on Thursday night, Zacharia acknowledged that she had failed the bar exam and never obtained a law license in the United States. She explained that she had planned to take the exam before knowing she would be living in China

Zacharia also defended her first briefing, saying she had little time to prepare.

“What I feel is I really stepped up to the plate with very little prep time,” she said on Hannity.

Was Katie Zacharia fired?

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia left her position shortly after President Donald Trump suggested that “maybe it’s not for her.” As per the latest information from The New York Times and The Washington Post. This happened just a week into her new role at White House.