White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia is “transitioning” out of her role, The Daily Wire has learned.
It remains unclear what position she will take next. A source familiar with the plans told The Daily Wire that Zacharia and her family are having dinner with Vice President JD Vance and his family tonight.
Zacharia’s exit comes just five days into the job. The move follows President Donald Trump’s remarks Friday that he urged her to reconsider her position, citing what he called vicious treatment by the media.
Speaking to reporters, Trump strongly suggested Zacharia’s tenure as press secretary would be short-lived following a rocky first briefing and intense media scrutiny over her legal background.
“I told Katie that in my opinion she was treated very, very unfairly, very unfairly by the news,” Trump said. “And I said, Katie, do you need this? I don’t think you need this, and we’re talking about doing something. We like Katie a lot.”
Trump said he wants Zacharia to “have a good life” and claimed the 41-year-old has been “brutalized” by the legacy media.
“I said to her, honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” he added. “I would reconsider.” A source familiar with the plans told The Daily Wire that Katie and her family are having dinner with the Vances tonight.
Trump picked Zacharia as press secretary exactly one week ago. She previously served as a senior communications official at the Department of Homeland Security and as a spokeswoman for former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. She left the agency about six weeks after joining amid leadership changes at DHS.
“Maybe it’s not for her,” Trump said, alluding to an imminent announcement after his Friday campaign rally in Georgia.
In his announcement picking Zacharia, Trump said the mother of four had an “unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning.”
“She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA,” Trump said. “I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration.”
It’s unclear whether Trump will find a new replacement for Karoline Leavitt before the November midterm elections.
This is a developing story. Stay with The Daily Wire for updates.
Katie Zacharia is “transitioning out” of her role as White House Press Secretary, senior White House official confirms to @realDailyWire.
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 16, 2026
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