Why Trump’s latest White House press secretary lasted just five days

What the report says

US President Donald Trump has removed White House press secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days in the job, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting on October 17, 2026. Trump said he believed the media had been hard on her and said he had advised her to “reconsider” the role. Al Jazeera reported that the White House later confirmed she was “transitioning out,” making her the shortest-serving press secretary in US history.

Her brief tenure followed a first and only White House briefing on Tuesday that drew broad criticism for appearing disorganized and hesitant. Al Jazeera said she stumbled over her remarks, took only three questions and ended the session after 14 minutes. The article also noted growing scrutiny over her professional background, including questions about her legal credentials and whether she had actually passed the bar exam required to practice law in the United States.

The departure adds to a pattern of rapid turnover among Trump communications staff. Zacharia had replaced Karoline Leavitt, who served from the start of Trump’s second term in January 2025 until August. Al Jazeera also compared Zacharia’s record with Anthony Scaramucci’s 10-day stint in Trump’s first term. No permanent replacement has been announced, and Trump told Fox News he was not rushing to fill the position.

The vacancy comes as the administration faces a conflict with Iran and prepares for midterm elections, making the role of a top spokesperson politically significant.