Trump's new press secretary stumbles through debut briefing as Guilfoyle is forced out Katie Zacharia, Donald Trump's new White House press secretary, had a shaky first appearance, reading prepared remarks stiffly before announcing Kimberly Guilfoyle's resignation. Katie Zacharia announced herself with a sunny, drawn-out 'Good morninggg... ' as she stepped before the cameras in the James S Brady Briefing Room on Tuesday, looking like the glamorous, telegenic White House press secretary Donald Trump had ordered from central casting. Her debut went decidedly downhill from there.Katie Zacharia Reads Staccato Opening Remarks'I am so honored to work for President Trump and the American people,' Zacharia read breathlessly, eyes down, glancing up briefly to meet the gaze of the assembled journalists. The salivating White House press corps, which has been waiting a full six weeks since Karoline Leavitt's surprise resignation in August for the appointment of a new press secretary, was hanging impatiently on every word.'Enthusiastic, hardworking Americans are lining up and packing arenas to support President Trump and Republicans and it... is... not... hard... to... see... why,' Zacharia, 41, read in staccato. The effect was both Pollyannaish and slightly robotic; the new White House mouthpiece is clearly working out a few glitches.White House press secretary Katie Zacharia grew in confidence as her first briefing went on, particularly when talking about her family Trump is fighting for American workers 'every... minute... of... every... day,' she recited from a script known in White House press lingo as a 'topper.' Zacharia appeared to have taken instructions to speak slowly and enunciate a bit too earnestly. In the nearly nine-minute opening, she rattled off a Pravdaesque list of accomplishments: real wages up, one million private sector jobs created, new Naval bases under construction, lower drugs prices, and more. Predictably, there was no mention of the Iran war, but the catalog of achievement did include words emphasized unexpectedly and seemingly at random.Zacharia Rattles Off White House AccomplishmentsPresident Trump had secured the 'biggest oil deal in WORLD history,' Zacharia said. He had won a 'historic one-day war with... VENEZUELA.' As the seconds ticked by Zacharia looked down more often. Then, a pause, a grimace and an unfortunate mangling of the promotion of an Alaska pipeline investment: 'In addition to that it will be... it, we, will be...he, it... ahh... there is 54 billion dollars...' 'And with that, I will take your QUESTIONS,' Zacharia said, cautiously. New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia shadows President Donald Trump as he walks to speak with reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Washington White House press secretary Katie Zacharia speaks at her first briefing The opening segment of the press briefing is typically followed by a long question-and-answer session, often extending for nearly an hour; Zacharia took questions from three reporters.Zacharia Addresses Predecessor Karoline LeavittA Breitbart journalist queried her about the former job holder's legacy.'Firstly, my predecessor Karoline Leavitt did an incredible job,' she answered. An anonymous White House official, one among many who reportedly rushed out statements to the media, was later quoted as saying that staff were 'missing Karoline today.' How does Zacharia see her role as press secretary, asked Fox News. She's 'hoping to amplify, multiply, and expand upon President Trump's incredible agenda,' Zacharia said, veering dangerously into word salad territory last staked out by Biden's long-beleaguered press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.Zacharia, who was a pro-Trump talking-head-for-hire on conservative cable news shows prior to reportedly being plucked out of near-obscurity by President Trump, aims to leverage her past experience to 'only build on, only amplify and only multiply, to the extent possible, all of the wins making for Americans.Zacharia Highlights President Trump As Best Spokesman' ' is his own best spokesman,' she said. The statement certainly looked truer today than yesterday. Though for one thing, Zacharia's devotion to the President appears sincere.'My President... excuse me... my husband... that's a good one' she stumbled when speaking about her dedication to her spouse and four children. Press Secretary Katie Zacharia joins President Trump's team at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland en route to Alaska Katie Zacharia watches as President Trump talks to the media at the White House The strongest moment of the outing may have been the White House's worst.Zacharia Reveals Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle ResignationResponding to a question from the Daily Mail, Zacharia revealed that the President asked embattled Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign. It was a mic drop moment that dominated the headlines. Shortly after the announcement Guilfoyle tweeted that she is stepping down, while denying all allegations against her. Why Guilfoyle wasn't afforded the opportunity to disclose her own career move before it was released publicly is unclear, but communications pros speculated that the information was released with purpose.'From a strategic perspective that was a smart move,' Democratic strategist Melissa Derosa told Fox News. 'You don't want to be the story'