**Donald Trump fired White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia **just five days after she started, setting a new speed record for failing out of his administration.
Success isn’t the only way to make a name for yourself. A “Scaramucci” still means “11 days” to everyone in D.C. politics, as a reference to the time it took for Anthony Scaramucci to
spectacularly flame outfrom his job as President Donald Trump’s White House communications director in 2017. Today, a new term was coined: a “Zacharia.” It’s even shorter, barely a workweek long.
The White House
booted Press Secretary Katie Zachariaonly five days after she replaced Karoline Leavitt —less than half a Scaramucci. Or, technically, 5/11ths, meaning 0.4545 x Scaramucci. (Questions are now being raised on social media over whether the last day should count as only one half, given that she was out by lunchtime. If so, that would make her tenure 4.5/11ths. Also, Monday was a federal holiday. We may need an instant replay! Call in arobo-ump!)
Whatever the exact number, this revolving door turned at warp speed for good reason: It shows just how much the White House is sweating the midterms. This administration has endured a lot of mediocrity. But with less than three weeks to go, and control of Congress on the line, Trumpworld can’t afford to let this press secretary debacle dominate the headlines any longer than it has to.
Zacharia was doomed from the beginning. A former Trump Media adviser with minimal public speaking experience, Zacharia appeared visibly rattled during her first (and only) press conference on Tuesday morning. She took only three questions, prioritizing conservative outlets, and ended the briefing within minutes.
Zacharia blamed her bungled performance on staffers who didn’t prepare her well-enough, as well as first day jitters. She offered that
bizarre defense last nightto Fox News’ Sean Hannity, whose tone implied that he believed this lady shouldn’t be within 100 miles of the White House podium. “I feel like I did my very best,” Zacharia told Hannity.
Then there was the whole “lawyer” thing. Zacharia spent years claiming to be a lawyer, only to admit sheepishly this week that she never passed the bar exam. On her first day, she claimed to have done legal work in China, and went on to insist, bizarrely, that while she couldn’t call herself an “attorney,” she had been advised that “lawyer” was accurate. (Note: This is not a thing!)
She only made matters worse in
anotherFox & Friends interviewthis morning. When a Fox host asked if she wished she’d disclosed the failed exam to Trump before being hired, Zacharia responded: “Those questions weren’t asked. I’m being hired as White House press secretary, and not White House counsel.”
Even Trump admitted that he messed up by choosing Zacharia.
Zacharia’s demise seemed imminent from the moment she stepped down from the podium this week. The question was always
how fastshe’d be kicked to the curb. The call came shortly after Trump told reporters this morning that he had asked Zacharia if she actually wants the job.
“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump recalled telling her. “Katie, do you need this? I don’t think you need this.” (Translation:
You’re fired!)
It takes a lot for someone to be fired in Trumpworld. Hell, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth still has a job even after Trump nixed his ludicrous plan to livestream the firing-squad execution of a man in a wheelchair.
But this week has been
jam-packed with scandalseven by Trump’s standards. With midterms right around the corner, Zacharia chose a bad time to make a fool of herself — and the president seems to have aneasier time firing women, anyways.
**“Records are made to be broken. But I take no pleasure in other people’s pain,” **Scaramucci 𝕏tweeted today.
Dozens of Israeli settlers attacked a Washington Post** photojournalist** and Palestinians in the West Bank, setting olive groves on fire during locals’ autumn harvest. The journalist, who was wearing a vest with “PRESS” on the front and back, was “knocked to the ground, kicked repeatedly and stripped of her cameras and phone,” the
** Broligarch Elon Musk sent $158 million last month **to a super PAC backing Ken Paxton’s Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico in Texas, according to fresh federal filings. His donations have allowed Paxton to remain competitive, despite Talarico raising way more money. Ah, democracy. When a trillionaire can slap down that credit card and bid for a senator!
** Speaking of Elon’s Big Supervillain Energy,** someone inside the White House ordered the Pentagon to limit Ukraine’s access to Starshield, the military division of Musk’s Starlink satellite service, Reuters reports. Trump has grown frustrated with Ukraine, after the country continued striking Russia this week. “Zelenskyy is not a good guy for us to deal with,” Trump
** Trump aides Stephen Miller, Bill Pulte, and Lee Zeldin** are jostling to become the next White House chief of staff, amid rumors that Susie Wiles might resign or be replaced after the midterms, the
** Trump allies are openly discussing the possibility** that Trump could declare martial law during the midterms. During a video call on right-wing platform Rumble in September, Peter Ticktin, a lawyer for election denier Tina Peters, told MAGA activists that “there would have to be martial law in the event... [of] another rigged election.” Great! Martial law! Just in time for Thanksgiving!
** Trump officials reportedly investigated Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN)** for fraud during his first term, but didn’t find any evidence of wrongdoing. “I think her citizenship is solid and there wasn’t any fraud there,” a former official familiar with Trump’s first investigation told the
** A Great Depression-era mini-golf course in Washington, D.C.** might be collateral damage as Trump tries to reshape the city’s public (full-size) golf course to his liking. This is a great article about the history of the mini-golf course, which I had no idea existed. You know where to find me this weekend!
** A New Zealand museum published dozens of photos** of Nikumaroro, the Pacific atoll where aviator Amelia Earhart is believed to have crash-landed, from 1938. One Earhart investigator described the batch of photos as a “goldmine” that could help provide clues about her disappearance.
** Somehow I missed news of the annual** Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta this week. If you’re unfamiliar, locals carve out massive pumpkins, sit inside them, and use kayak paddles to race each other down a river. The
** A 4-year-old poodle-husky mix named LouLou** was rescued from the side of an icy mountain in Alaska this week after surviving an avalanche. Two hikers, who were with LouLou were swept 500 feet off a mountain ridge, survived with serious injuries. LouLou was tracked down using an AirTag. “She’s amazing,” one of the hiker’s girlfriends said. “She appears to have broken a toe and a canine tooth. She’s enjoying the couch and naps. Otherwise back to normal.”
** A bear broke into a library in California and helped itself** to snacks, including peanut butter, peach cups, cookies and a jar of honey, according to the library, which posted a video of the thief on Facebook. “Satiated, the bear then took a full tour of the library, perusing the new releases and inspecting the reference desk before, evidently content with its visit, letting itself out and departing for the day,” the post reads. “No shelves were toppled and no books were harmed, though the honey jar has not been returned at time of publication.”
Meet Gritty, a 3-month-old kitty!
“Gritty is undoubtedly our house’s best thing about 2026. The humans and surviving cat were very down after the death of our 18-year-old cat, and Gritty’s lovable and playful nature has brought so much fun, joy, and healing to us all. It’s crazy how much power is packed into this 2-pound snuggle bug!”
— Erica
