On October 16, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump fired his new press secretary Katie Zachariah just five days after her appointment. This decision came in response to criticism following her first briefing at the White House.
Reasons for the Dismissal
According to reports, one of the main factors leading to her dismissal was Zachariah's poor performance during her only briefing, which lasted just 14 minutes. The press secretary managed to answer only three questions from journalists, including one about the transfer of intelligence data to Ukraine, on which she stumbled.
Scandal Over Legal Qualifications
Additionally, questions arose regarding Katie Zachariah's legal qualifications. Trump had previously referred to her as a lawyer, but it was revealed that she had not passed the bar exam. This sparked further criticism from the media and the public.
Trump's Reaction
President Trump, commenting on the situation, stated that he advised Zachariah to reconsider her decision to take on the role, saying, "Katie, do you need this? I don't think you need this." He also expressed that the media had treated her unfairly but acknowledged that the job might not be suitable for her.