Megyn Kelly Slams Katie Zacharia Over White House Look: 'You're Not There To Turn Anybody On'

Megyn Kelly has criticised Katie Zacharia's appearance following the new White House press secretary's first briefing, arguing that her styling did not project the professional image Kelly expected from someone representing the Trump administration.

During an episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly criticised Zacharia's make-up, hairstyle and neckline, suggesting that she should tone down her appearance while establishing herself in the role.

Kelly commented on both Zacharia's performance and her appearance, suggesting that the new press secretary should adopt a more restrained look while building credibility in the position.

The remarks have added to the scrutiny surrounding Zacharia's first days as White House press secretary. As the public face of the administration's communications operation, she is expected to respond to difficult questions, explain policy decisions and defend the president's statements.

What Did Megyn Kelly Say About Zacharia's Outfit?

Kelly described Zacharia's performance as 'fine' before criticising her styling.

'She's got very heavy makeup on. She's got the long curls. She's got some chest showing with the tie. I think she needs to dial it back,' Kelly said on The Megyn Kelly Show, according to Mediaite's report.

Kelly also invoked advice attributed to former Fox News chief Roger Ailes about presenting oneself as a serious person, before telling Zacharia to prioritise a professional appearance.

The broadcaster's remarks focused on the impression Zacharia created during her first appearance at the White House briefing-room podium. They also highlighted the tension between expectations of professional presentation and the scrutiny women in high-profile political positions can face over their appearance.

Did Katie Zacharia's First Briefing Get Off to a Rocky Start?

The appearance criticism was not the only reported setback facing Zacharia after her first White House briefing on Tuesday, 13 October.

MS NOW quoted an unnamed White House official as saying: 'Getting behind the podium is tough, but she got off on the wrong foot. She needs to get much better, fast.'

The reported criticism also prompted comparisons with Anthony Scaramucci, Trump's former White House communications director, whose brief tenure in 2017 became a reference point for the criticism of Zacharia's early performance.

The anonymous official's remarks reflected one person's assessment of Zacharia's debut, but did not establish that the White House was considering removing her from the position.

The report also did not establish that Zacharia's appearance was responsible for the concerns about her briefing performance. Kelly's comments about styling and the official's reported assessment of Zacharia's work are separate matters.

For the new press secretary, the immediate challenge is to demonstrate that she can manage the demands of the briefing room while communicating the administration's message effectively.

Why Has Donald Trump Put His Trust in Zacharia?

Despite the reported criticism, Donald Trump praised Zacharia when announcing her appointment as White House press secretary.

Trump described her as a 'loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning', highlighting her support for his political movement and her communications experience.

Before becoming press secretary, Zacharia briefly served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security and frequently appeared as a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax.

She also worked for Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, before her appointment.

Her background gave her experience in conservative political messaging, but moving into the White House press briefing room brings a different level of visibility and scrutiny.

Zacharia succeeds Karoline Leavitt, who left the press secretary role in August and moved to Fox News Channel, according to published reporting.

Trump publicly praised Zacharia's debut, telling reporters he thought she did 'excellent' and 'very good'.

Whether Zacharia meets the administration's expectations remains to be seen. Her first appearance has already attracted criticism, placing her early days in the position under scrutiny.

Is Kelly's Criticism About More Than Just Appearance?

Kelly's remarks highlight the tension between expectations of professional presentation and the scrutiny women in high-profile political positions can face over their appearance.

Criticism centred on make-up, hair and clothing can also shift attention away from the substance of a person's work, particularly when that person is responsible for communicating government policy and responding to journalists.

In Zacharia's case, Kelly described her performance as 'fine' before criticising her appearance. That distinction separates the broadcaster's comments about presentation from any assessment of Zacharia's ability to answer questions or communicate policy.

For Zacharia, her performance in future briefings will better show how she handles the role's responsibilities than appearance-based criticism alone.

For now, Kelly's comments have added an appearance-related controversy to the scrutiny surrounding Zacharia's first days as White House press secretary.