Katie Zacharia’s Five-Day Stint as White House Press Secretary

Katie Zacharia was officially named White House press secretary on Monday, October 12 after Karoline Leavitt’s earlier departure. Her first and only briefing took place on October 13, during which reporters pressed her on her legal credentials. By Friday, October 16, Zacharia’s tenure ended, making her the shortest-serving permanent White House press secretary in history.

Newsweek

Zacharia holds a law degree from Pepperdine University but has not passed the California bar exam, a point highlighted during her October 13 briefing. Reporters noted her difficulty answering where she had passed a bar examination, intensifying scrutiny of her professional résumé.

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President Donald Trump defended Zacharia, recalling that he had asked her, “Is this for you?” and later suggested she reconsider the demanding role. He later described her reaction to reporters as understandable, noting she “freaked out” when questioned. She added that the “best is yet to come.” Trump has not announced a permanent replacement, though names such as White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly and commentator Scott Jennings have been mentioned in media reports.

Newsweek

• “No wonder that poor young woman — she was a perfect, beautiful woman — when she walked into that press room and they started screaming at her, she freaked out,” — Donald Trump, president

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• “I just asked her, ‘Is this for you?’” — Donald Trump, president

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• “The best is yet to come.” — Katie Zacharia, house press secretary

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