At a critical moment, Trump finds himself without the help of a press secretarypublished at 8:10 p.m. BST
Anthony Zürcher
North America Correspondent
Image source, ReutersThe job of White House press secretary is challenging, even under the best of circumstances.
These were not the best circumstances.
Katie Zacharia has been thrown into the mix, joining the White House just weeks before what promises to be a very difficult midterm election for Donald Trump and his Republican Party.
The White House has been beset by a series of controversies — including allegations of corruption that forced the resignation of the U.S. ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and an abrupt reversal of plans to publicize a military execution in December after widespread bipartisan objection.
A competent press secretary might have been able to navigate these political mines and continue to get the White House’s message across in the face of a growing media frenzy. Zacharia, a relative novice, only fanned the flames.
His shaky performance at Tuesday’s press conference, combined with questions about his legal history, essentially sealed his fate. And subsequent press appearances, including a less-than-encouraging interview with conservative conversation leader Sean Hannity on Thursday — which Trump said he watched — have done nothing to change that.
As president, Trump essentially acted as his own press secretary, making major announcements and changing policies from the Oval Office, the White House lawn and the airfield tarmacs. But his press secretaries, when effective, facilitated media relations, provided context for curious journalists, and helped quell latent problems.
At a critical juncture in his second term, Trump will find himself without this help.
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