Former press secretary comments on successor's brief five-day tenure

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 14:57 · Archive

Katie Zacharia, who became White House press secretary on 12 October, was fired after five days in the role.

Katie Zacharia, a former Homeland Security spokesperson and Newsmax contributor, became White House press secretary on 12 October but was fired after five days in the role.

Her predecessor Karoline Leavitt, speaking to Fox News Digital, said that Zacharia struggled with the demands of the position. 'White House press secretary is a tough job. I know that because I did it,' Leavitt said. 'Many people say it's one of the hardest jobs in politics. It takes a lot of preparation. Sometimes you don't know how someone will perform until they go out there.'

Leavitt, who left the role in August after giving birth to her second child, stated that she has been advising President Trump on finding Zacharia's replacement. She described the qualities needed for the role, saying the press secretary must be 'tough, smart, understands his policies, loyal and can go out there and put up a fight.'

Zacharia's tenure proved brief, with her first briefing on 13 October lasting just 14 minutes. Trump had previously hailed her as a 'loyal and brilliant supporter' when announcing her appointment.

How it is being reported

• Karoline Leavitt speaks out on successor Katie Zacharia’s shocking 5-day tenure as press secretaryWithin five days of becoming White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia was firedIndependent World · 24 Oct, 14:31
• Karoline Leavitt cracks Apprentice joke about Trump as Bill Maher puts her on the spot over fired Katie ZachariaThe former White House Press Secretary was asked by the HBO comic if she had any advice for Zacharia, who lasted less than a week doing her old job.Daily Mail · 24 Oct, 05:23

In this story: Karoline Leavitt · Katie Zacharia · Donald Trump · White House

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