President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he advised White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia to "reconsider" her position. Trump described the media coverage directed at Zacharia as "nasty" and "vicious," suggesting that the professional pressure she faced during her first week was unprecedented. Zacharia’s tenure, which began on Monday, has been marked by a widely criticized initial press briefing and public scrutiny regarding her legal credentials, specifically reports that she has not passed the bar exam.

There is significant disagreement among news outlets regarding Zacharia's current employment status. Fox News and The Guardian have reported that Zacharia has been fired or is in the process of transitioning out of the role. Conversely, Axios, The Hill, The Daily Wire, and the Washington Examiner have framed the situation as the President leaving the door open for her to quit or suggesting she consider her future, rather than confirming an immediate termination. The Washington Examiner noted that while Zacharia's future is uncertain, the President explicitly reaffirmed his support for Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, distinguishing the two personnel situations.

As of Friday, the White House has not issued a definitive statement confirming a firing, leading to a split in reporting between outlets that characterize her departure as a done deal and those that describe it as a choice presented by the President.