White House press secretary Katie Zacharia fired, reports say

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has reportedly been fired after just five days in her role, according to multiple reports. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he had instructed her to "reconsider" her position following a tumultuous first week. During a campaign event in Georgia, Trump claimed Ms Zacharia had faced "very bad treatment" from the media.

Fox News reported, citing an unnamed White House official, that Ms Zacharia was being transitioned out of her position, while The New York Times cited sources familiar with the matter, confirming her firing. This abrupt departure follows Zacharia's first White House briefing, which lasted only 14 minutes and saw her answer just three questions from journalists.

She also appeared to struggle with a prepared statement, leading to widespread criticism on social media. Initially, Trump described her as an attorney, a claim she later confirmed as inaccurate, stating she had taken the bar exam once but failed. Zacharia has a background as a law school graduate from Pepperdine University in California and has previously claimed to have practiced law in China.

She was appointed to the position following the resignation of Karoline Leavitt, who was the youngest person ever to hold the role.