TRUMP FIRES WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KATIE ZACHARIA

Donald Trump fired White House press secretary Katie Zacharia on Friday 16 October, five days after she took the job. He had appointed her on Monday 12 October. Zacharia delivered one briefing before her dismissal, which followed questions about her qualifications. Her departure left Trump without a press secretary just over two weeks before the November midterm elections. Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the job “obviously was not for her”.

Leavitt said she had held the post for almost two years and described it as one of the hardest jobs in politics. She said the work required extensive preparation. “Sometimes you don’t know how someone will perform until they go out there,” she said. Leavitt said Trump had wished Zacharia well, and she extended the same wish to Zacharia and her family.

Leavitt said Trump was considering candidates for the vacant post. She said she had offered to help him select someone who could serve him and the country well. Asked what advice she would give Trump, Leavitt said she would keep her counsel to him private. She said the next press secretary needed to understand Trump’s policies, remain loyal to him and handle the demands of the role. Leavitt added that several qualified people could take the job.