WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump cast doubt on Katie Zacharia continuing as White House press secretary after a rocky first week, telling reporters the job might not be for her and that he asked her to consider stepping down.
"I said to Katie, 'You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Trump said on Oct. 16, adding she's been treated "very rough" and "nastily" by the media. "I said, 'Honestly, if I were you, I'd reconsider.'"
Trump said he's going to ultimately let Zacharia decide whether she wants to continue in the position.
"Look, she has suffered over the last few days. Maybe it's not for her," he said. "I said, 'You want to be happy in life.' I'll do whatever
she wants."
Trump said he planned to talk to Zacharia after he returns from a campaign swing through Georgia.
Trump's remarks come after Zacharia's debut press briefing came under intense criticism after she seemed unprepared. She's faced further scrutiny about representing herself as a lawyer even though she didn't pass a bar exam or obtain a law license.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump asks Katie Zacharia to consider stepping down as press secretary
