Trump's New Press Secretary Katie Zacharia Mocked on Her First Day: 'She Can't Even Read a Script'

Katie Zacharia, Donald Trump's new White House press secretary, faced online criticism after a brief debut in which she stumbled over prepared remarks and called on reporters from only three outlets.

The approximately 14-minute briefing on Tuesday, 13 October, also left a question about US intelligence-sharing with Ukraine unanswered. Journalist Aaron Rupar criticised her delivery, writing that she 'can barely read'.

Trump defended Zacharia afterwards, while White House communications director Steven Cheung described her appearance as a 'tremendous start'.

Katie Zacharia Takes Three Questions at First Briefing

Zacharia, a conservative commentator and former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, replaced Karoline Leavitt after her departure from the administration.

She began her first briefing with prepared remarks praising Trump and outlining what she presented as the administration's achievements before opening the floor to questions.

Reporters from Breitbart, Fox News and the Daily Mail were called on before Zacharia ended the session. Other correspondents were left without an opportunity to question her.

CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins put the question-and-answer portion at five and a half minutes. NewsNation reporter Hannah Brandt described an 'audible surprise' when the briefing ended.

Zacharia said she was bringing the session to a close because Trump would soon take questions on the White House South Lawn before departing for Alaska.

'I am going to end it because President Trump is heading out to Marine One for our historic trip to Alaska, and we can ask him all of the questions out there,' she said, according to the Associated Press.

Ukraine Intelligence Question Goes Unanswered

Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked whether the United States had stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, seeking clarification of the administration's policy.

Zacharia said she would get back to him rather than provide an answer at the podium.

The exchange left the policy question unresolved. It did not confirm that intelligence-sharing had stopped or changed.

The unanswered query was a substantive issue distinct from the criticism of her prepared delivery. Her explanation for ending the briefing pointed reporters towards Trump's forthcoming appearance but did not supply the requested policy clarification.

Trump Press Secretary Corrects 'My President' Slip

While discussing her family, Zacharia mistakenly said 'my president' when referring to her husband, then corrected herself.

The moment became another focus of online criticism, alongside her delivery of the prepared statement.

Rupar compared the appearance to 'an SNL cold open come to life', while the Lincoln Project posted: 'This isn't going well.'

Those comments were assessments of her public performance, not independent findings about her literacy or ability to fulfil the role. The cited reactions document criticism from identifiable commentators and an organisation, rather than providing a measure of public opinion.

Trump and Supporters Defend the Debut

Trump defended Zacharia after the briefing, telling reporters: 'I thought she did excellent. She did very good.'

Cheung separately described the debut as a 'tremendous start' and said she had 'commanded the room'. He praised her for reminding Americans of the work carried out by Trump and his administration.

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet offered qualified support, calling the appearance a 'solid start' while acknowledging that Zacharia seemed nervous reading her prepared statement.

He described her as 'very relatable and likeable' and said she became more animated when discussing her family, distinguishing that exchange from her prepared delivery.

The responses differed over her presentation. The briefing's narrower record was clear: Zacharia called on reporters from three outlets, deferred an answer on Ukraine intelligence-sharing and ended the session while directing further questions towards Trump's departure appearance.