White House press secretary Katie Zacharia stumbles through debut briefing after 6-week search Newly appointed White House press secretary Katie Zacharia had a rough introduction to the press corps, delivering a staccato, scripted response that appeared to lack depth and understanding of the role. While her loyalty to President Trump was evident, the briefing highlighted a need for her to develop a more natural, authoritative style in future interactions. Katie Zacharia's debut as White House press secretary was marred by a scripted, robotic delivery that failed to impress the seasoned press corps. While she highlighted Trump's achievements, her lack of spontaneity and frequent reliance on reading from a script suggested she is still adapting to the high-pressure role. Despite the rocky start, Zacharia demonstrated potential for growth, particularly in effectively conveying the president's stance on significant issues like the resignation of Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle.