Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia reported to be leaving after days in role

Katie Zacharia is reported to be leaving her post as White House press secretary just days after taking it up, though accounts differ on whether she has already been dismissed or is preparing to go. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had advised her to reconsider staying in the job. [3] [4]

A report by the Dutch news agency ANP, published by Nieuws.nl, said a senior administration source had told Fox News that Zacharia was leaving. FOX 32 Chicago, drawing on Fox News Digital, said a White House official had told a Fox correspondent that she was “transitioning out”. El País went further, reporting that Trump had dismissed her and saying the New York Times had confirmed her departure with three White House sources. [1] [2] [4]

Trump told reporters that Zacharia had been treated unfairly by the media and that he had told her: “If I were you, I’d reconsider.” His remarks cast doubt on her future but did not announce a dismissal or resignation. [3] [5]

Zacharia’s first week had brought questions about her legal credentials and criticism of her short initial press briefing. She defended the briefing, saying she had intended to keep it brief because Trump would answer reporters’ questions later. Earlier on Friday, asked whether she had the president’s confidence, she said she hoped to build the trust of those around her. That was before Trump’s later remarks and the reports about her departure. [2] [5]