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PoliticsReports from 9 Oct to 30 Oct 2026

White House press secretary turnover from Leavitt to Zacharia

Karoline Leavitt announced her departure on Aug. 12 and left on Aug. 27 after her second child’s birth, saying she felt she could not be the mother her two young children deserved. Katie Zacharia began the role on Oct. 12, gave a brief first briefing the next day that included a $54 billion Alaska LNG allocation South Korea said remained undecided, and left on Oct. 16 after five days; accounts called her exit a resignation, firing or transfer. Zacharia acknowledged not passing California’s bar exam and explained her use of “lawyer”; Trump said he urged her to reconsider and that the press treated her unfairly, while Steven Cheung’s post suggesting Nicki Minaj as press secretary was judged unlikely by Der Spiegel.

Summary written by our automated pipeline from the outlets' reporting. How it works

29 outlets in 19 countries, 10 relaying others' reporting

Katie Zacharia speaks at the lectern during her first press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Washington, on October 13, 2026.
Photo credits

In their own words

Grouped by where each speaker is from. Quotation marks are the speaker's own words; other lines are our summaries.

United States

Donald Trump, U.S. president
“I thought she did excellent. She did very good”

Quoted in PBS NewsHour, via Associated Press

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary

Leavitt says the press secretary job was not suited to Katie Zacharia.

Our summary of Fox News

More from United States (2)
White House, U.S. executive office

The White House formally described Zacharia's departure as a 'transition' to support the president in a new role.

Our summary of Clarín

In Congress

Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. House minority leader
“The White House Press Secretary is gone. MAGA extremists continue to fall apart”

Quoted in BBC News

South Korea

Government

South Korea's position is that only the Texas gas power plant project is confirmed and the other two projects require further talks to assess their commercial viability.

Our summary of Yonhap News Agency · long-held position

Government

South Korea says its commercial review of the Alaska LNG project has only just begun and it has not decided whether to invest.

Our summary of Yonhap News Agency · long-held position

Where accounts differ

Points where outlets or parties give conflicting facts or readings. Each side is summarised by our pipeline; its sources are listed under it.

Accounts conflict Whether Zacharia resigned or was fired

teleSUR described Zacharia’s departure as a resignation after Trump’s advice.

Sources (1)

Our summary of teleSUR English

Sources cited by Clarín said Trump fired her; White House officials said she was let go, and senior administration officials were quoted as saying Trump intervened to remove her.

Sources (2)

anonymous sources close to the matter · our summary of Clarín, via The New York Times; CNN

a White House official · our summary of The Times of Israel, via Reuters

Accounts conflict Whether South Korea’s investment in the Alaska LNG project was settled

Zacharia said $54 billion was tied to the Alaska LNG pipeline and terminal project.

Sources (2)

Katie Zachariah, White House spokesperson · our summary of Yonhap News Agency

As quoted in Korean, with a machine translation

“여기에 더해 환태평양 국가에 에너지를 공급하고 동맹국들에 연료를 판매하기 위한 알래스카 LNG 파이프라인 및 터미널 건설에 540억 달러가 투입되며, 텍사스에 6기가와트(GW) 규모의 천연가스 발전소를 건설하는 데 223억 달러가 투입된다”

Machine translation: “In addition, $54 billion will go toward building the Alaska LNG pipeline and terminal to supply energy to countries around the Pacific Rim and sell fuel to allies, and $22.3…”

“…there is $54 billion tied to the Alaska LNG pipeline and terminal to service the Pacific Rim and sell fuel to our allies”
Katie Zachariah, White House spokesperson · quoted in Yonhap News Agency

South Korea said the project was not finalized, required further commercial review and had no investment decision.

Sources (2)

South Korea · our summary of Yonhap News Agency

South Korea · our summary of Yonhap News Agency

Other voices

Reactions from other countries and bodies, others involved, and commentary.

Others involved

Nicki Minaj, Singer and rapper
“We have a president that understands economics, first of all”

Quoted in NDTV

Jason Miller, Trump adviser

Miller said Vance wanted to speak with them briefly.

Our summary of NDTV

An unnamed Trump ally

A Trump ally said Zachariah should have had two weeks of mock training with tough questions before taking the stage.

Our summary of Yonhap News Agency, via CNN

Daily Mail

The Daily Mail described her remarks as somewhat mechanical in style.

Our summary of Daily Jang

Commentary

Garrett Haake, NBC News journalist
“Meandering rallies, staff stories taking up oxygen, long hard-to-hear gaggles, no briefings”

Quoted in Fox News

US legal experts

US legal experts said it is inappropriate to use those titles without being qualified as lawyers.

Our summary of The Hankyoreh

Timeline

  1. 2026-08-12

    Leavitt announced her departure on Aug. 12.

    Sources: The Times of Israel

    Supporting statements

    Leavitt announced her departure from the position on August 12.

    Our summary of The Times of Israel
  2. 2026-08-27

    Leavitt left her post on Aug. 27 after giving birth to her second child.

    Sources: Clarín

    Supporting statements

    Leavitt left her post on August 27 after giving birth to her second child.

    Our summary of Clarín
  3. 2026-10-12

    Zacharia started the job on Monday, Oct. 12.

    Sources: France 24 (via Reuters)

    Supporting statements

    Zacharia started the job on Monday and held her debut White House briefing on Tuesday.

    Our summary of France 24, via Reuters
  4. 2026-10-13

    Zacharia gave her first briefing on October 13; it lasted about 14 minutes and included questions from three reporters.

    Sources: TASS

    Supporting statements

    Katie Zacharia answered questions from three journalists at her debut briefing.

    Our summary of TASS

    The briefing lasted about 14 minutes, including almost eight and a half minutes of introductory remarks.

    Our summary of TASS
  5. 2026-10-15

    Zacharia admitted on Thursday that she had not passed the bar exam.

    Sources: The Guardian · Clarín

    Supporting statements

    Zacharia later confirmed that she never passed the bar exam.

    Katie Zacharia, Trump administration official · our summary of The Guardian

    She acknowledged this week that she did not pass the California bar admission exam after law school.

    Katie Zacharia, Trump administration official · our summary of Clarín
  6. 2026-10-16

    Trump said on Friday that the job might not be right for Zacharia.

    Sources: BBC News

    Supporting statements

    Trump said the press secretary job might not be right for Zacharia.

    Donald Trump, U.S. president · our summary of BBC News
  7. 2026-10-16

    Zacharia left the press secretary post on Oct. 16 after about five days.

    Sources: The Hankyoreh (via Reuters; The New York Times) · Clarín

    Supporting statements

    Katie Zakaria was dismissed as White House spokesperson on 16 October, five days after taking office.

    Our summary of The Hankyoreh, via Reuters; The New York Times

    The White House formally described Zacharia's departure as a 'transition' to support the president in a new role.

    White House, U.S. executive office · our summary of Clarín
  8. 2026-10-26

    Reported on 2026-10-26, Cheung posted a video with Minaj aboard Air Force One and wrote that he believed they had found the new White House press secretary.

    Sources: Der Spiegel

    Supporting statements

    Cheung wrote that he believes they have found the new White House press secretary.

    Steven Cheung, White House communications director · our summary of Der Spiegel
    As quoted in German, with a machine translation

    “…ich glaube, wir haben die neue Pressesprecherin des Weißen Hauses gefunden”

    Machine translation: “I think we've found the new White House press secretary.”

Coverage

Each outlet's headline, linked to its article. Non-English headlines are machine-translated. The groupings and notes on what each outlet emphasises are automated.

Group by
Fox NewsUnited States
White House reporters react to Katie Zacharia's 'brutal' exit as Trump's press secretary Uses Spicer's endorsement of her MAGA credentials
5 more from Fox NewsTrump's new press secretary faces first major test as White House briefing room enters new eraNicki Minaj pledges to support Donald Trump again during Michigan Republican campaign rallyTrump names Leavitt successor after weeks of speculation — and she's no stranger to MAGALeavitt opens up on helping Trump find new press secretary after Zacharia debacle: 'Was not for her'Trump's new press secretary out of the job just days after rocky debut
CGTNChina
Katie Zacharia out as White House press secretary: US media Relays Fox News account of the transition
Asahi ShimbunJapan
Trump’s new press secretary fired after just five days, US media report; questions also raised about her background Translated headline. Original: トランプ氏の新報道官、わずか5日で解任　米メディア　経歴で疑惑も Notes criticism of her first briefing
The HankyorehSouth Korea
White House communications director on rapper Minaj: “Looks like we’ve found a new spokesperson” Translated headline. Original: 래퍼 니키 미나즈가 백악관 새 대변인?…베팅사이트서 후보까지 Quotes legal experts on lawyer titles
3 more from The Hankyoreh“What kind of great power are you if you don’t even have toilets?” “Come and see”… U.S.-China “toilet spat”New White House spokesperson embroiled in ‘false lawyer credentials’ controversy fired five days after taking officeWhite House’s New Press Secretary Again Claims South Korea Will Invest $54 Billion in Alaska LNG
The Korea HeraldSouth Korea
New White House spokesperson says $54b tied to Alaska gas project in S. Korean investment package Notes uncertainty over Seoul's participation
Relays Yonhap
Yonhap News AgencySouth Korea
Could rapper Nicki Minaj be White House press secretary?… Briefly ranked third on betting site Translated headline. Original: 래퍼 니키 미나즈가 백악관 대변인?…베팅사이트서 한때 3위 Connects her remarks to Trump's investment promise
11 more from Yonhap News AgencyDid the ‘Shortest-Serving’ White House Press Secretary Fall into a Trap Set by the Embattled Chief of Staff?[Yulgok-ro] America’s Manchurian LawyerTrump drops her, earning her the label of “shortest-lived spokesperson”… Her debut becomes her final briefingWhite House spokesperson fired after just four days…steps down amid controversy over false credentials and qualifications (comprehensive)Controversy over Trump’s new spokesperson’s legal career: Claims she “qualified in China”New White House spokesperson says US$54 bln tied to Alaska gas project in S. Korean investment packageWhite House Press Secretary Mentions “South Korea’s $54 Billion Investment in Alaska” at First BriefingTrump calls White House chief of staff rumored to be replaced “a tremendous fighter”White House spokesperson facing dismissal after just one week amid controversy over 'false credentials and qualifications'White House gloomy ahead of midterms… Trump relies on ‘court jester’ loyalistsTrump calls reports of restoring the swimming pool after demolishing the White House press room “fake news”
France 24France
Embattled new White House Press Secretary Zacharia 'let go' from her role Notes scrutiny of her legal credentials
Relays Reuters, Fox News
Der SpiegelGermany
Nicki Minaj: Donald Trump Praises Her Butt. Will She Be His New Spokesperson? Translated headline. Original: Nicki Minaj: Donald Trump lobt ihren Hintern. Wird sie seine neue Pressesprecherin? Places the story amid press freedom disputes
3 more from Der SpiegelTrump praises Nicki Minaj’s butt. Will she be his new press secretary?Katie Zacharia ends her first appearance as Donald Trump’s new spokesperson after just a few minutesDonald Trump: Spokeswoman Katie Zacharia fired, according to US media
Deutsche WelleGermany
White House press secretary Zacharia exiting role after short tenure Explains Leavitt's departure as family-focused
1 more from Deutsche WelleTrump names new press secretary to succeed Karoline Leavitt
Relays New York Times
MeduzaLatvia
New White House press secretary Katie Zakaria fired after less than a week on the job Translated headline. Original: Новая пресс-секретарь Белого дома Кэти Закария уволена. Она проработала меньше недели Relays New York Times sources on her firing
Relays The New York Times, Fox News, Axios
BBC NewsUnited Kingdom
Katie Zacharia leaving White House role less than five days into job Highlights her answer about the bar exam
2 more from BBC NewsAnalysis: Zacharia was thrown into a whirlwind - and failed at a critical time for TrumpNicki Minaj joins Trump onstage at Michigan rally
The GuardianUnited Kingdom
All the president’s women: a familiar downward trajectory in Trump’s team Emphasizes her comments about her children
2 more from The GuardianTrump urges new press secretary to ‘reconsider’ taking job: ‘Is this for you, Katie?’Enter the Zachbot: Trump’s new press secretary malfunctions on podium debut
Analysis
ClarínArgentina
Rapper Nicki Minaj boards Air Force One and joins Trump at a rally in Michigan Translated headline. Original: La rapera Nicki Minaj sube al avión presidencial y acompaña a Trump a un mitin en Michigan Cites sources saying Trump fired her
15 more from ClarínWhy did Trump fire Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary? Behind the scenes of a record-breaking tenure of just 5 daysKatie Zacharia praises Trump after leaving her post as White House spokespersonDonald Trump fired his spokesperson just five days after hiring her: the string of mistakes and blunders that forced her outWhite House spokesperson resigns one week after being appointed by TrumpWhite House confirms: Katie Zacharia is no longer Trump’s new spokesperson after less than a week in the jobNew White House spokesperson leaves post less than a week after taking office; Trump said she should “reconsider” her appointmentDoubts About Zacharia’s Future After Debuting as White House SpokespersonTrump's new press secretary admits she failed the bar examAmid a gloomy White House, Trump heads into the midterm electionsTrump says he is in no “hurry” to name a new White House spokespersonFormer Trump spokesperson reacts to her successor’s firing: “It wasn’t a job for her”Trump says his new presidential spokesperson should "reconsider" her appointmentTrump suggests White House spokesperson leave her post after controversy in her first weekWho is Katie Zacharia, Trump’s new spokesperson at the White House?From Truth Social to the White House: Who Is Katie Zacharia, Trump’s New Press Secretary
teleSUR EnglishVenezuela
White House Press Secretary Zacharia Resigns After 5 Days in the Job Frames her tenure as unusually short
1 more from teleSUR EnglishWhite House Spokesperson Leaves Her Post Following Criticism of her Performance
16 Oct 2026 23:36 (timezone unknown)
Mehr News AgencyIran
Zacharia ousted after 5 days as White House Press Secretary Combines questions about credentials and performance
Tehran TimesIran
Trump’s White House chaotically turns on itself as Republicans brace for defeat Reports claims that no one vetted her
Analysis
The Times of IsraelIsrael
White House says Press Secretary Katie Zacharia ‘let go’ from role after 5 days Reports the White House's 'let go' wording
1 more from The Times of IsraelTrump Media commentator Katie Zacharia named as new White House press secretary
Relays Reuters, Fox News
OkazSaudi Arabia
After just 5 days in the White House, Katie Zakaria’s first comment on her dismissal Translated headline. Original: بعد 5 أيام فقط في البيت الأبيض.. أول تعليق من كاتي زكريا على إقالتها Links briefing length to Trump's schedule
2 more from Okaz“If I were you, I’d reconsider”… Trump lets Katie Zacharia go after 5 daysFrom Fox News to the White House... Katie Zacharia Named Trump’s New Spokesperson
HürriyetTürkiye
He learned in an interview that he had been fired: Zacharia’s stint as spokesperson ended after five days Translated headline. Original: Kovulduğunu röportajda öğrenmiş: Zacharia’nın sözcülüğü 5 günde sona erdi Focuses on criticism of her briefing
1 more from HürriyetCorruption, inflation, fuel prices
RIA NovostiRussia
Trump says he is in no hurry to appoint a new White House press secretary Translated headline. Original: Трамп заявил, что не спешит назначать нового пресс-секретаря Белого дома Details her correction after a verbal slip
9 more from RIA NovostiZacharia worked for the shortest time as White House press secretaryWhite House replaces press secretary five days after appointmentTrump’s spokesperson accidentally calls her husband the president at briefingTrump’s New Press Secretary’s First Briefing Lasted 14 MinutesFormer White House press secretary comments on her departure for the first timeMedia: Trump appoints Zakaria as press secretary, bypassing his chief of staffTrump sets record among presidents for blonde press secretariesMedia: Vance invited outgoing White House press secretary to dinnerTrump advised Zakaria to step down as White House press secretary
TASSRussia
New White House spokeswoman held post for only five days setting anti-record Counts the journalists who asked questions
1 more from TASSTrump’s new spokeswoman answers only three questions in debut briefing
NDTVIndia
White House Official Jokes Nicki Minaj Could Be Next Press Secretary: 'We May Have Found' Reports her explanation for the brief session
8 more from NDTVWhite House Set Up Press Secretary For Brutal TV Grilling Before Firing: ReportChat With JD Vance, Then Fired Moments Later: How Katie Zacharia Was Axed14-Minute Presser, Backlash Over Lawyer Tag: The Unmaking Of New White House Press Chief Katie ZachariaNew White House Press Chief Fired Hours After Trump Asked Her To "Reconsider"Trump's "A**" Remark About Nicki Minaj At Rally, Then An Apology"Was An Honour": Katie Zacharia On 5-Day Stint As Trump's Press Secretary'Never Intended To Practice Law': Trump Press Secretary Says Failed Bar ExamWho Is Katie Zacharia? Trump's New White House Press Secretary Replacing Karoline Leavitt
The HinduIndia
Who is Katie Zacharia, the White House Press Secretary ‘let go’ after five days in office? Uses a White House official's account
2 more from The HinduWhite House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia ‘let go’ just days into roleKatie Zacharia picked as White House press secretary
Daily JangPakistan
Nicki Minaj’s name surfaces for White House press secretary post Translated headline. Original: وائٹ ہاؤس کی پریس سیکریٹری کے عہدے کیلئے نکی مناج کا نام سامنے آ گیا Relays the Daily Mail's description of her delivery
6 more from Daily JangWhat led to the departure of the White House’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia?White House’s new press secretary fired after just five daysTrump’s new spokesperson confuses her husband with the president in her very first briefingYemen: Saudi military coalition says it destroyed two missile launchersTrump’s shortest-serving press secretary breaks her silenceTrump names Katie Zakaria as the new White House press secretary
Also mentioned in passing by 5 outlets

More detail

Written by our automated pipeline from the statements in the coverage; each point lists the statements it rests on.

Key points

Leavitt said she chose to leave after her daughter’s birth because she felt she could not be the mother her two young children deserved.

Sources (2)

Our summary of Clarín

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary · our summary of Clarín

As quoted in Spanish, with a machine translation

“La verdad es que desde que regresé a la Casa Blanca después del nacimiento de mi hija, he sentido en mi corazón que no puedo ser la mejor mamá que mis dos pequeños hijos merecen…”

Machine translation: “The truth is that ever since I returned to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two little children deserve…”

Zacharia began work on Oct. 12. Her first briefing lasted about 14 minutes, took questions from three reporters and included about eight and a half minutes of introductory remarks; she attributed its brevity to Trump’s schedule and possible interaction with reporters.

Sources (4)

Our summary of France 24, via Reuters

Our summary of TASS

Our summary of TASS

Katie Zacharia, Trump administration official · our summary of TASS

Zacharia said $54 billion was tied to an Alaska LNG project, while South Korea said the project was still under review and it had not decided whether to invest.

Sources (3)

Katie Zachariah, White House spokesperson · our summary of Yonhap News Agency

As quoted in Korean, with a machine translation

“여기에 더해 환태평양 국가에 에너지를 공급하고 동맹국들에 연료를 판매하기 위한 알래스카 LNG 파이프라인 및 터미널 건설에 540억 달러가 투입되며, 텍사스에 6기가와트(GW) 규모의 천연가스 발전소를 건설하는 데 223억 달러가 투입된다”

Machine translation: “In addition, $54 billion will go toward building the Alaska LNG pipeline and terminal to supply energy to countries around the Pacific Rim and sell fuel to allies, and $22.3…”

South Korea · our summary of Yonhap News Agency

South Korea · our summary of Yonhap News Agency

Zacharia acknowledged not passing California’s bar exam. She said she used “lawyer,” not “attorney,” to distinguish herself from a licensed legal adviser, and said she had practised international transaction law in China with appropriate credentials.

Sources (3)

Katie Zacharia, Trump administration official · our summary of Clarín

Katie Zacharia, Trump administration official · our summary of The Guardian

Katie Zacharia, Trump administration official · our summary of BBC News

Accounts conflict over whether Zacharia resigned or was fired; the administration said she was being transferred. Trump said he advised her to reconsider and that the press treated her unfairly.

Sources (4)

Our summary of teleSUR English

anonymous sources close to the matter · our summary of Clarín, via The New York Times; CNN

US administration · our summary of RIA Novosti, via The Hill

“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider.”
Donald Trump, U.S. president · quoted in Tehran Times

Cheung wrote that he believed they had found a new White House press secretary, referring to Nicki Minaj; Der Spiegel judged her taking the role unlikely.

Sources (2)

Steven Cheung, White House communications director · our summary of Der Spiegel

As quoted in German, with a machine translation

“…ich glaube, wir haben die neue Pressesprecherin des Weißen Hauses gefunden”

Machine translation: “I think we've found the new White House press secretary.”

Our summary of Der Spiegel

How coverage differed

South Korean outlets: They paired Zacharia’s investment figures with South Korea’s caveat that the Alaska project remained under review.

Russian outlets: They emphasized the briefing’s short duration, limited questions and Zacharia’s verbal correction.

Latin American outlets and reports relaying U.S. sources: Coverage characterized the departure as a resignation, firing or transfer.

Der Spiegel: It reported Cheung’s suggestion about Minaj and judged her becoming press secretary unlikely.

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Photo credits

Katie Zacharia speaks at the lectern during her first press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Washington, on October 13, 2026.

File:Press Secretary Katie Zacharia holds first press briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room, October 13, 2026 (P20261013AH-0521).jpg · The White House · Public domain

P20261013AH-0521

Creator Original source

Public domain

Resized and JPEG encoded; thumbnail display may crop the image.