Trump seeks new press secretary after Zacharia's five-day tenure

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 23 Oct, 01:39 · Archive

President Trump is searching for a new White House press secretary after Katie Zacharia lasted just five days in the role, making her the shortest-serving press secretary in US history. Zacharia, a former Homeland Security spokesperson and Newsmax contributor, took over on 12 October but was fired on 16 October following a 14-minute briefing.

Zacharia was replaced after mounting questions over her qualifications. The New York Post reports that she flew to Washington on the Friday before her start date to interview with the president, then returned to California to pack her belongings before coming back that weekend. Monday was spent onboarding before she began the role.

Former press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down in August to spend more time with her two young children, said she is helping Trump find a replacement. "I've offered my help to the president to help him select someone who can serve him and the country well," Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Leavitt described the role as "a tough job" and "one of the hardest jobs in politics" that "takes a lot of preparation." She said that Zacharia's position "obviously was not for her" but that the administration wishes "Katie the best." Leavitt noted that "sometimes you don't know how someone will perform until they go out there."

When asked what qualities Trump should look for in a replacement, Leavitt said the president "knows that he needs someone who is tough, who is smart, who understands his policies, who is loyal and can go out there and put up a fight." She added that Trump "knows it very well" and that "nobody understands the press better than Donald Trump."

Betting markets are already predicting possible replacements. According to Kalshi bettors, Anna Kelly, the current White House principal deputy press secretary, is the frontrunner with a 15 per cent chance of getting the job, though she was passed over when Zacharia was appointed. CNN pundit Scott Jennings has a 13 per cent chance; he was widely considered a favourite when Trump initially sought to replace Leavitt and reportedly had backing from the president's chief of staff Susie Wiles, but was also passed over for Zacharia. A third candidate, Elizabeth Pipko, a former model who worked on Trump's 2016 campaign, is in third place with 6 per cent, according to the betting markets.

The New York Post reports that sources close to Zacharia have criticised Leavitt's assessment, with one source saying "it's unfair for the former press secretary to continue brutalizing President Trump's hand-picked successor." The source said Zacharia "remains ruthlessly loyal while facing unprecedented attacks against her" and that she has declined interviews and profile pieces, preferring that coverage focus on the president's work.

How it is being reported

• Karoline Leavitt breaks silence on her replacement Katie Zacharia's sudden firing by TrumpUS President Donald Trump fired his new press secretary Katie Zacharia after five days in the job, leaving him without a spokesperson just weeks before the country's midterm electionsThe Mirror · 23 Oct, 01:21
• Karoline Leavitt drops ‘brutal’ verdict on Katie Zacharia’s brief performance as WH press secretaryKaroline Leavitt weighed in on her first successor to the White House press secretary job, Katie Zacharia.New York Post · 22 Oct, 20:53
• Karoline Leavitt weighs in on 5-day tenure of successor Katie ZachariaWithin five days of becoming White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia was firedIndependent World · 22 Oct, 19:58
• Karoline Leavitt takes brutal shot at Katie Zacharia after five-day stint as Trump's new press secretaryFormer White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is keeping it blunt when describing her successor, Katie Zacharia's brief stint in the job.Daily Mail · 22 Oct, 19:53
• Leavitt opens up on helping Trump find new press secretary after Zacharia debacle: 'Was not for her'Karoline Leavitt says she's helping Trump find a new press secretary after Katie Zacharia lasted just five days in the demanding White House role.Fox News · 22 Oct, 16:07
• Bettors flood market with pick of next press secretary - and it’s an under-the-radar choiceKaroline Leavitt’s replacement Katie Zacharia lasted just five days in the job, sparking speculation on who may be next to take on the roleIndependent World · 21 Oct, 10:10

In this story: Donald Trump · Katie Zacharia · Karoline Leavitt · Anna Kelly · Scott Jennings · Elizabeth Pipko · White House · United States

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