‘Staring At Trump For Attention’: Katie Zacharia Fired Within Five Days, Now Reportedly Seeking Another White House Role?

Katie Zacharia Reportedly Seeks Second Chance as White House Press Secretary After Five-Day Tenure

Katie Zacharia, whose brief stint as White House press secretary ended just five days after she took the job, is reportedly trying to make a comeback and regain the prestigious position.

According to a report by the New York Post, three people familiar with US President Donald Trump’s circle believe Zacharia is attempting to win back his confidence and secure another opportunity at the White House briefing podium. She is also said to be seeking support from Trump’s newly appointed chief of staff, Stephen Miller.

Zacharia was removed from the position in October following a turbulent start and questions about her professional qualifications. However, sources cited by the newspaper claim she has been making efforts to rebuild her standing with the President.

Her recent appearance as an anchor for conservative broadcaster Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN) during its election-night coverage was reportedly part of that effort.

One source claimed Zacharia agreed to host the programme last Tuesday in the hope that Trump would watch her performance and reconsider her suitability for the press secretary role. The source alleged that she had openly discussed the plan, calling the supposed attempt “absurd” and “truly embarrassing”.

She was also reportedly seen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort over the weekend. According to one source, Zacharia was “staring at [Trump] trying to get his attention” during the visit.

However, another person who reportedly spoke with Zacharia suggested that her RSBN appearance may have been a joke rather than a serious attempt to reclaim her former position.

• Zacharia Rejects Comeback Claims
• Zacharia has dismissed the reports, describing them as fabricated.

In a statement to TMZ, she said, “I maintain a loyal and great relationship with the President, but this story is utterly fake.”

She also criticised the media coverage in a social media post, questioning the use of anonymous sources and accusing news outlets of circulating misinformation.

“We’ve reached the point where @TMZ is correcting DC beltway lies from ‘anonymous sources’,” she wrote.

She further alleged that publications spreading unverified claims were contributing to public distrust in the media.

“I’m not auditioning for the role. Claims that I’m trying to get my old job back as President Trump’s White House Press Secretary are utterly fake,” she added.

Why Did Zacharia Leave After Just Five Days?

Zacharia’s appointment as White House press secretary began on October 12 and ended on October 16, making her tenure one of the shortest in the history of the position.

Trump had announced her appointment earlier that month after Karoline Leavitt left the administration.

However, Zacharia’s first and only press briefing quickly attracted criticism. She appeared nervous, struggled through portions of her remarks and answered questions from only three journalists before bringing the briefing to a close after approximately 14 minutes.

Her professional credentials also became a subject of controversy. Reports revealed that she had not passed the California bar examination and was not licensed to practise law in any US state, despite previously describing herself as a lawyer and saying she had practised law.

The issue gained further attention when Fox News host Sean Hannity questioned her about the way she had presented her qualifications.

Trump himself expressed reservations about her suitability for the position. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Maybe it’s not for her,” and added that he had advised her: “Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider.”

Zacharia subsequently left the job.

Who Else Is Interested in the White House Press Secretary Role?

The high-profile press secretary position has also reportedly attracted interest from other figures associated with the Trump administration.

The New York Post reported that Caroline Sunshine, a former Trump administration official, was also pursuing the role.

Zacharia’s alleged efforts to return come as Stephen Miller takes on the position of Trump’s new chief of staff. She has publicly expressed support for Miller, although she has firmly rejected claims that she is seeking his backing for a comeback.

For now, reports of a possible return remain unconfirmed. Zacharia maintains that she has no plans to audition for her former job and insists that the claims about her seeking another chance are false.