White House press secretary Katie Zakaria is “transitioning” her role, The Daily Telegraph has learned.
It’s unclear what stance she will take next. A source familiar with the plans told The Daily Telegraph that Zakaria and her family will have dinner tonight with Vice President J.D. Vance and his family.
Zakaria resigned after just five days in office. The move follows remarks from President Donald Trump on Friday urging her to reconsider her stance, which he said was being treated viciously by the media.
Speaking to reporters, Trump strongly hinted that Zakaria’s tenure as press secretary would be short-lived, as the first briefing went poorly and amid intense media scrutiny of her legal background.
“I told Katie that, in my opinion, this news was very, very unfair, very unfair to her,” Trump said. “I said, Katie, do you need this? I don’t think you need this, and we’re talking about doing something. We like Katie very much.”
Trump said he wanted Zakaria to “live a good life” and claimed the 41-year-old had been “brutally treated” by traditional media.
“I said to her, honestly, if I were you, I would reconsider,” he added. “I’ll reconsider.” A source familiar with the plans told The Telegraph that Katie and her family will have dinner with the Vance family tonight.
Trump appointed Zakaria as press secretary a week ago. She previously served as a senior communications official at the Department of Homeland Security and spokesperson for former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She left the agency about six weeks after joining amid a leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security.
“Maybe it’s not for her,” Trump said, referring to his upcoming announcement after a campaign rally in Georgia on Friday.
pick among his announcements Zachariah Trump said the mother-of-four had a “perfect record of support and has been a loyal and wonderful supporter from the beginning.”
“Similarly, she is a big 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 because she is respected by the media, the American people and my administration and will work brilliantly with them.”
It’s unclear whether Trump will find a new replacement for Carolyn Leavitt before the November midterm elections.
This is a development story. Follow The Telegraph for the latest news.
Katie Zacharia is “transitioning” into the role of White House press secretary, a senior White House official confirmed to @realDailyWire.
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 16, 2026