White House press secretary Katie Zacharia’s first White House press briefing lasted just 14 minutes.4 min readOct 13, 2026 09:51 PM IST First published on: Oct 13, 2026 at 09:50 PM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookReporters raise their hands to ask questions as the new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia holds her first press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, US, October 13, 2026. (REUTERS)Katie Zacharia, US President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, made an awkward beginning to her first press briefing on Tuesday, briefly confusing her boss with her husband while answering a question about balancing the demanding job with raising four children.Zacharia, who succeeded Karoline Leavitt after she left the role in August, appeared before reporters for just 14 minutes, taking questions from three news outlets before abruptly ending the briefing.The Independent reported that the mix-up happened when a reporter asked Zacharia how she would manage family life along with the responsibilities of being White House press secretary. Leavitt had cited the demands of the job and her desire to spend more time with her children when she announced her departure.“The idea of not spending evenings with my kids is completely unacceptable, so my president… excuse me, my husband, is out here,” Zacharia said, which prompted laughter in the briefing room.Katie Zacharia slips up: My president– Excuse me, my husband. That’s a good one. Ha ha ha https://t.co/RTacfHXDVL— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) October 13, 2026She then attempted to recover with a joke, saying, “That’s a good one,” before returning to praise for Trump and his decision to appoint her for the role.Zacharia said her family would move to Washington, DC, from California. She also argued that Trump’s willingness to appoint a mother of four demonstrated his support for working women with families.Story continues below this adZacharia ends first briefing after taking questions from three outletsNews agency Associated Press reported that Zacharia began the briefing with a prepared statement highlighting Trump’s policies on energy, tariffs and immigration, as well as his campaign appearances ahead of the November midterm elections.She described her role as an opportunity to amplify the president’s agenda.I get to do what I was doing on the outside already, which was hoping to amplify, multiply and expand upon President Trump’s incredible agenda for the American people,” she told reporters.She said Trump was “his own best spokesperson”. She took her first question from right-wing outlet Breitbart News, and committed to retaining the expanded media rotation introduced by Leavitt to bring more outlets into White House briefings and the press pool.Story continues below this adBut her debut was brief. She ended the session by telling reporters they could ask Trump their questions as he prepared to leave the White House aboard Marine One.In fact, I am going to end it because President Trump is heading out to Marine One for our historic trip to Alaska, and we can ask him all the questions out there,” she said.The Independent reported that Trump was not scheduled to depart for Alaska for several hours. WHITE HOUSE · EXPLAINERMeet Katie Zacharia: Trump’s new press secretaryKZLawyerConservative commentatorMother of four1 · Who she is2 · Vs Leavitt3 · How the job worksPART 1Who she isWho is Katie Zacharia?A conservative commentator and lawyer who has backed Donald Trump since his first campaign. Trump called her “a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning.” She has been married to Tyler Zacharia since 2011.Her career before the White HouseEARLY CAREERInterned at the Republican National Committee; worked in the George W. Bush White House Office of Political Affairs2011Law degree, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law2011–2013Corporate lawyer in Beijing; also a fundraising manager for Compassion for Migrant ChildrenLATERGeneral counsel at Fix California, a conservative nonprofit founded by Ric Grenell2024RNC press secretary2026Homeland Security spokesperson under Secretary Kristi Noem for about three months; left in MarchBEFORE OCT 2026Senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, which runs Truth Social; commentator on Fox News, Newsmax and CNNHow she replaced Karoline LeavittAUG 12Karoline Leavitt announces she is leaving to spend more time with her two young childrenAUG 27Leavitt’s last day, after 19 months; senior officials take turns at the podiumOCT 9Trump names Zacharia on Truth SocialOCT 12Zacharia starts work on Columbus Day“Katie is replacing the fabulous Karoline Leavitt, who did a fantastic job as Press Secretary.”Donald Trump, on Truth SocialWorking while raising four children Four children, all under 11; the family is moving from California to Washington“Though my work will be demanding, they will always be a priority.”Katie Zacharia“The idea of not spending evenings with my kids is completely unacceptable.”Katie Zacharia, as quoted by MS NOWShe has said she takes her children to work meetings and lunches when she can, and that Leavitt gave her advice on balancing the role.Her stated approach to the job“I get to do what I was doing on the outside already.”On the job as an extension of her advocacy“Only build on, only amplify, and only multiply” the president’s wins.On her goalTrump is “his own best spokesperson.”On working alongside the presidentPART 2Katie Zacharia vs Karoline Leavitt: What changes?Karoline LeavittJan 2025 – Aug 2026Katie ZachariaFrom Oct 2026File photo of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. (AP file photo)AGE ON TAKING THE JOBLeavitt27Zacharia41BACKGROUND BEFORE THE PODIUMCampaign and government communications: a press aide in Trump’s first-term White House, communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik and a 2022 congressional candidate in New Hampshire.Mainly law and political commentary, with short spells as a party and agency spokesperson.ROUTE INTO THE JOBMoved straight from national press secretary of Trump’s 2024 campaign to the podium at the start of his second term in January 2025.Brought in from outside the administration, from a private-sector communications role.FIRST BRIEFINGHeld regular briefings through 2025; known for a combative style.About 14 minutes, half of it a prepared statement; took questions from three reporters before handing over to Trump.“NEW MEDIA” SEATCreated it in January 2025 for podcasters and independent outlets; more than 7,400 requests came in within 24 hours.“We are absolutely going to keep it, and we’re going to expand on it to the extent possible.” Breitbart News asked her first question.PART 3How the White House press secretary’s job works “New media” seat Reporters called onThe roleThe president’s chief spokesperson. The press secretary speaks for the administration and answers reporters on its behalf.BriefingsHeld in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing. The press secretary opens with announcements, then takes questions and decides who to call on.The press corpsAccredited reporters who cover the White House full time. The White House Correspondents’ Association has traditionally set the briefing-room seating chart.Working with the administrationThe press secretary coordinates the message with the president, the communications director and federal departments before taking the podium.A press secretary’s dayMorningAgree the day’s message with the communications teamBriefingOn camera, carried live on TV and onlineOn the roadInformal “gaggles” with travelling reportersAll dayStatements and replies to reporters’ queriesThe expanded media rotationWhy it existsTo bring more outlets — including podcasters, independent journalists and online creators — into briefings and the rotating press pool that travels with the president.How the pool worksA small group of reporters covers the president in tight spaces and shares its reports with everyone else. Since 2025 the White House, not the correspondents’ association, has chosen who joins it.PRESSPOOLOutlets take turns in the poolSources: NBC News; The Washington Post; Newsweek; The Daily Beast; Fox News; AP via PBS; The Epoch Times; WIOD; KIRO 7; Breitbart News; TIME; The White House; White House Correspondents’ Association.Express InfoGenIECreated by Aniruddha DharZacharia announces Kimberly Guilfoyle asked to resignDuring the short briefing, Zacharia made an important announcement regarding Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece.Most ReadStory continues below this adAsked about reports surrounding Guilfoyle’s conduct before and during her tenure in Athens, Zacharia confirmed that the White House had asked her to resign..@DailyMail’s @ElinaShirazi: “On Kimberly Guilfoyle, The Daily Mail has been reporting on her since last year. The President said yesterday to reporters that he is considering firing her. Do you know a timeline for that? And also potentially who could be on the short list to replace her if he does?” @KatieZacharia: “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 13, 2026“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well,” Zacharia said.The decision followed reports alleging that Guilfoyle had engaged in improper and potentially illegal conduct. The Washington Post reported that she faced allegations of asking a political donor to pay a $100,000 American Express bill. Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing, and it was not immediately clear whether she had formally resigned.Trump had told reporters on Monday that the administration was unhappy with the situation and was considering her departure.AdvertisementLoading Recommendations...AdvertisementLive BlogUS-Iran War Live News Updates | ‘We would know very fast’: Trump says China, Russia not helping Iran22 minutes agoDelhi Protest Live: Amit Shah says Congress needs ‘serious introspection’, highlights BJP bypoll wins1 hour agoIndia news Highlights, 13 October 2026: BJP women MPs meet President, seek action against Congress MP over sexual harassment allegations1 hour agoSupreme Court issues notice in plea against immunity to CEC, ECs, to hear cases Thursday9 hours agoIndia news Live Updates, 12 October 2026: Supreme Court questions Centre on capping margins beyond anti-cancer drugs1 day agoAdvertisement