Katie Zacharia to leave White House press secretary role after five days

Katie Zacharia is “transitioning out” of the White House press secretary job, the BBC reported on Friday 16 October, citing the White House. ABC News separately reported the same account from a senior White House official and other sources. The move comes five calendar days after she started. [1] [4]

Zacharia took up the post on Monday 12 October and gave her inaugural briefing the next day, according to ABC News and the White House. The Associated Press described it as her first and only briefing. It lasted about 14 minutes, with questions from three reporters. [2] [4] [5]

On Friday, President Donald Trump said he had urged Zacharia to reconsider the job. He said the media had treated her “very, very badly”. [1] [4]

Two sources told ABC News she would move to another role in the administration, to be announced later. But AP reported that Trump said he would make a final decision after his travels. The timing and terms of Zacharia’s departure remain unclear, including whether she was dismissed. [4] [5] [6]