WASHINGTON — Katie Zacharia took the lectern for the first time in her new role as White House press secretary on Oct. 13, but if you blinked, you might have missed it.
Zacharia, a conservative commentator tapped for the high-profile job, addressed reporters for just 14 minutes during her first White House press briefing ‒ only taking questions from reporters for five and a half of those minutes. She called on reporters from Breitbart, Fox News and Daily Mail, all conservative-leaning outlets.
"In fact, I am going to end it because President Trump is heading out to Marine One for our historic trip to Alaska, and we can answer all of the questions out there," Zacharia said as she abruptly ended the briefing. "So thank you very much."
Trump didn't
embark on his trip until more than an hour later, however.
Trump critics rip Zacharia's debut
Zacharia, 41, has big shoes to fill after being hired to replace former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who was known for her aggressive approach as she set the tone for the White House's handling of a wide range of issues.
In her debut, Zacharia spoke slowly and didn't look comfortable at times. While Leavitt answered questions without the help of a binder, Zacharia relied heavily on her prepared remarks. Trump's critics ripped the performance. "Well that briefing was basically an SNL skit…except it wasn't," Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary under President Joe Biden, and now a host on MS NOW, remarked on X.
Prior to joining the White House, Zacharia was a frequent commentator on Fox News and Newsmax and worked as senior communications advisor for the company that run's Trump's social media platform Truth Social.
Zacharia talks up Trump agenda
Zacharia, dressed in a navy blazer with gold buttons, began her brief appearance with a cheerful introduction.
"Good morning," she said. "I am so honored to work for President Trump and the American people as the new White House press secretary. I want to thank President Trump for his trust that he he placed in me. I have wanted to work for him for a very long time."
Zacharia then spent several minutes talking up Trump's economic agenda and touting Trump's "blockbuster rally" from the night before in Youngstown, Ohio. She said the president's midterm campaign blitz has "energy and excitement never seen before in the history of midterms."
"He is an energetic president," Zacharia said, before echoing Trump's claims of packed arenas on his blitz, even though photos at some rallies have captured many empty seats. "Attendance is at record highs," she said.
During the brief question-and-answer period, Zacharia committed to continue Leavitt's practice of allowing non-traditional "new media" outlets into the briefing room.
Zacharia explained her role this way in response to a question from Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy: "I get to do what I was doing on the outside, already, which was hoping to amplify, multiply and expand upon President Trump's incredible agenda for the American people."
Zacharia was unable to answer a follow-up question on whether the U.S. government is still sharing intelligence with Ukraine. "I'lll have to get back to you know that," she said.
She also made a verbal flub ‒ which she quickly caught ‒ when she accidentally referred to "the president" when talking about her husband and her four children, who she said have joined her in Washington.
"The idea of not spending evenings with my kids is completely unacceptable. So my president, excuse me, my husband ‒ that's a good one ‒ my husband is out here for the week," Zacharia said.
Trump, White House rallies behind Zacharia
The White House quickly rallied around Zacharia after the briefing. "A tremendous start for the new White House @PressSec!" White House communications director Steven Cheung said on X. "She commanded the room and effectively reminded the American people of all the great work President Trump and his Administration has done thus far."
"I thought she was very good," Trump told reporters before he boarded Marine One.
Despite her short briefing, Zacharia did make some news in response to one of the few questions: She confirmed the White House has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, to resign after a series of reports raised questions about her conduct on the job.
"She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well," Zacharia said.
It is unclear when Zacharia will hold her next briefing with reporters. Even before Leavitt left the White House at the end of August, the frequency of briefings had slowed significantly while she was on maternity leave.
As she signed off from her first briefing, several reporters shouted questions including one on whether Zacharia will return for a briefing Friday after the president gets back from his campaign travels.
"The president will get back on Thursday, and that's what I will answer," she said. "I'll leave it there."
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Katie Zacharia ends first White House press briefing after 14 minutes
