White House press secretary Katie Zacharia draws criticism following debut

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Katie Zacharia made her debut as the new White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt who left the post in August. The 41-year-old former Fox News commentator faced significant backlash regarding her performance, with international media outlets including the Guardian describing her delivery as mechanical and comparing her to a robot, nicknamed the "Zachbot.

Zacharia struggled to manage questions from the press, appearing visibly nervous and uncomfortable during her first briefing. Observers also noted a resemblance to Ivanka Trump, further fueling online commentary. Despite the focus on her presentation, she opened the session with a lengthy monologue praising President Donald Trump and expressed gratitude for her appointment.

Beyond her performance, the briefing served as the venue for a significant political announcement: Zacharia stated that the resignation of Kimberly Guilfoyle from her position as United States Ambassador to Athens had been requested. While media reports highlight the widespread criticism of her debut, there is no official word on her future in the role despite the public discourse questioning how long she will remain in the position.