Trump White House Spokesperson’s Five-Day Reign Ends After First Briefing Draws Scathing Reviews

[Financial News correspondent Lee Byung-chul in New York]  The White House spokesperson personally selected by U.S. President Donald Trump has left the post just five days after taking office. After appearing unsteady at the first official briefing and drawing a barrage of criticism over media relations skills, President Trump effectively urged the spokesperson to resign.
According to the Financial Times (FT), The New York Times (NYT) and others on the 16th (local time), White House spokesperson Katie Zakaria is set to leave just five days after taking office. The White House confirmed that Zakaria was going through the departure process but did not name a successor.
At the first official briefing on the 13th, Zakaria appeared nervous and unsteady and wrapped up the briefing quickly. Scathing reviews from the media followed, and interviews on television later in the week did not help turn around the negative assessment.
Trump told reporters that day, “I told Zakaria frankly, ‘If I were you, I’d think it over. Think about it. But I would reconsider.’” He said he had watched Zakaria’s interviews on Fox News the previous night and that morning, and felt the hosts had treated the spokesperson “somewhat harshly.”
Trump said the media had treated Zakaria “quite maliciously,” and recounted saying, “‘Do you really want to live like this? It doesn’t seem likely that the media will ease up on its attacks going forward.’” He added, “Zakaria has suffered over the past few days. Maybe this job isn’t the right fit.”
Zakaria was selected to succeed Karoline Leavitt, who served as White House press secretary for most of Trump’s second term. Leavitt was recognized for her loyalty to President Trump and effective handling of the media, but this year the White House has faced a growing burden in responding to the press amid criticism of the war in Iran and falling approval ratings due to high prices.

[email protected] Correspondent Lee Byung-chul Reporter