Katie Zacharia Holds First White House Press Briefing

Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary, conducted her first press briefing on October 13, 2026, lasting less than 15 minutes and addressing questions from three reporters from conservative outlets. During the briefing, she spent a significant portion reading prepared remarks and highlighted the administration's policies. Zacharia mentioned that the administration has requested Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, to resign due to allegations of misconduct. She expressed her intention to amplify President Trump's message, stating, "My goal is to be able to communicate that in complete tandem with the president, as he is his own best spokesperson." When asked about U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine, she stated she would need to follow up. Zacharia's briefing comes as President Trump is ramping up campaign efforts ahead of the midterm elections, with upcoming events planned in Kentucky, Georgia, and Florida. Recent polling indicates that 41% of registered voters approve of Trump's performance, marking a low point in his second term. The same poll shows disapproval of his handling of the economy, amidst ongoing challenges related to the Iran war and rising fuel prices. Trump has attributed his declining approval ratings to public relations issues, noting that the administration is "not doing a good job of public relations."