Katie Zacharia is leaving her post as White House press secretary after five days, a White House official confirmed. Criticism of her first briefing and scrutiny of her legal background preceded the exit, and President Donald Trump said he suggested she reconsider.
Katie Zacharia is leaving her job as White House press secretary after just five days, a White House official confirmed to CNBC on Friday. The official confirmed a Fox News report that she is moving out of the role.
Trump says he told her to reconsider
Earlier Friday, Trump told reporters outside the White House that he had spoken to Zacharia about the job. According to Trump: "You don't have to do this if you don't want."
Business Insider reported that The New York Times and CNN said Zacharia had been fired shortly after Trump's remarks. A White House official told Business Insider she is on her way out of the role.
A short and shaky debut
Zacharia, a conservative commentator who worked at Trump Media & Technology Group, faced widespread criticism after a short and shaky first press briefing. She also came under mounting scrutiny about her legal background.
Business Insider reported that Zacharia said on Thursday she took the bar exam but failed it and never retook it. The outlet said she had repeatedly described herself as a lawyer.
In that briefing on Tuesday, Zacharia revealed that U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle had been asked to step down. Both departures follow other high-ranking female officials who have quit or been fired in recent months, CNBC said.
Shorter than a Scaramucci
Her tenure is shorter than that of Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House communications director for less than 11 days in 2017. By that measure, Zacharia lasted one-half of one Scaramucci, CNBC said.
Business Insider reported that Trump will be searching for a top spokesperson again after Karoline Leavitt left the role in August. The search comes with 18 days until the midterms, CNBC reported.
Sources: CNBC, Business Insider
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