# Katie Zacharia's 3 Press Lessons

> Former Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia shares 3 lessons from her 5-day tenure amid controversy.
- Title: Katie Zacharia's 3 Press Lessons · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Former Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia shares 3 lessons from her 5-day tenure amid controversy. Katie Zacharia left Trump's White House press secretary…
- Keywords: katie zacharia, trump, white house press secretary, california bar exam, truth social, karen leavitt, Katie, Zacharia's, Press, Lessons, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/katie-zacharia-white-house-press-lessons-learned-12595171
- Published: 2026-10-20T17:44:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: katie zacharia, trump, white house press secretary, california bar exam, truth social, karen leavitt
## Katie Zacharia's First Role
Katie Zacharia became Trump's White House press secretary on October 9 after Karoline Leavitt left.
## Zacharia's 5-Day Tenure
Zacharia held the role for five days, with her first briefing on October 13 and dismissal on October 16.
## Zacharia's Lessons
Zacharia said the biggest lessons were to stay true to her character, focus on work, and refuse to be defined by critics.
## California Bar Exam Issue
Zacharia failed the California bar exam but claimed she passed it in China when she moved there.
## Trump's Reaction
Trump questioned Zacharia's fit for the role, saying he encouraged her to reconsider whether the job was right for her.
## Zacharia's Departure
Zacharia was fired on October 16 after Trump said she had been treated unfairly by the press.
## Key takeaway

Katie Zacharia left Trump's White House press secretary role after 5 days citing criticism over her law credentials and a failed California bar exam.