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White House press secretary Katie Zacharia pushed out after less than a week
A White House official confirmed that press secretary Katie Zacharia was pushed out Friday, October 16, after less than a week in the job.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was pushed out Friday, October 16, after less than a week in the position. A White House official confirmed her departure following a series of public missteps.
Trump said he had encouraged Zacharia to reconsider the job amid criticism of her claims to be a lawyer and her first press briefing. He told reporters he had asked whether the position was right for her.
Zacharia had called herself a lawyer on television and social media and listed herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative nonprofit. Although she has a law degree, she acknowledged Thursday that she had failed the bar exam, a prerequisite for practicing law in the United States.
Her debut press briefing on Tuesday morning lasted less than 15 minutes. Zacharia began by reading a list of what she described as Trump's accomplishments, then took three questions from journalists.
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Politics ·
White House officials say Trump offered press secretary role to Katie Zacharia
President Donald Trump offered conservative commentator Katie Zacharia the position of White House press secretary, White House officials said Friday.
Officials confirmed that Zacharia would be named to the role, replacing Karoline Leavitt.
Zacharia previously worked as a communications adviser to Trump's media company, which runs Truth Social. She also briefly served as a spokesperson for Kristi Noem, the former Homeland Security secretary.
A source said Zacharia had not been considered for the White House press secretary role until this week.
Leavitt left the White House in August, shortly after returning from maternity leave. Trump said at the time that she wanted to spend more time with her young children and family.
Fox News announced Monday that Leavitt was joining the network as an on-air contributor.
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George Santos expresses interest in becoming Trump's press secretary
Former Representative George Santos said he would welcome the opportunity to serve as President Donald Trump's press secretary. His expression of interest came hours after Katie Zacharia announced that she was leaving the role.
In a post on X Friday night, the former Republican congressman from New York said he already had a job but would readily take the opportunity to serve the president as press secretary.
There is no indication that Santos is being considered for the position. His stated willingness to take the job remains an expression of interest.
A White House official confirmed Friday that Zacharia was transitioning out of the press secretary role after only five days in the job.
Trump told reporters Friday that he had advised Zacharia to reconsider her position.
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