Former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is reportedly seeking another opportunity to take up the position after her brief five-day tenure ended last month, with sources close to US President Donald Trump claiming she has been trying to regain his support.Three people familiar with the matter told The New York Post that Zacharia has been attempting to build favour with Trump and his newly appointed chief of staff, Stephen Miller. At the same time, the administration considers changes to its communications team.One source told the publication that Zacharia believed her appearance on Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN) during election-night coverage on Tuesday could help her make a case for returning to the White House podium.“She said it out loud,” the source said, describing her reported plan as “absurd” and “truly embarrassing”.However, another person who spoke with Zacharia this week said she later claimed the remark about using the television appearance to secure her former position had been made as a joke.Zacharia was also seen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida over the weekend, as the President prepared for further changes within his administration. One person who observed her at the resort’s patio on Saturday claimed she was trying to attract Trump’s attention.“She will never go back. [Trump] thinks she’s a joke. She has zero chance of that,” the source told NYP, adding that the President had described her as a “train wreck”.A White House official also dismissed the possibility of her return, saying: “She never stopped. She’s psychotic. She thinks she did a good job at her one briefing.”
Zacharia denies seeking another White House role
Despite the claims about her efforts to return, people close to Zacharia have disputed the suggestion that she wants the press secretary position again.A source close to the former press secretary told The New York Post that she was not interested in reclaiming the role and was instead “focused on defending free speech and supporting the president’s priorities through other mediums”.Another person familiar with her position was equally emphatic, saying: “I am 1,000% certain Katie Zacharia has no interest in going and being the press secretary at the White House.”Zacharia has also publicly praised Miller and his role in leading the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. Her comments have added to speculation about her relationship with the new chief of staff, although the report does not establish that Miller is supporting her return.
5-day tenure ended after brief White House briefing
Zacharia’s previous appointment lasted only five days. Her sole White House press briefing lasted 14 minutes, during which she reportedly struggled to handle the session.She also faced criticism following appearances on Fox News programmes hosted by Sean Hannity and Fox & Friends.According to NYP, some White House aides were particularly unhappy with her comments to Hannity, in which she suggested that her performance during the briefing had been affected by inadequate preparation from subordinates.The remarks reportedly angered colleagues within the administration. One White House official dismissed the prospect of her returning, saying it would not happen in “a million years”.
Caroline Sunshine also linked to vacant position
Zacharia is not the only person reportedly being considered for the vacant press secretary position.Caroline Sunshine, a former Disney Channel actress who previously worked in Trump’s first administration, has also emerged as a possible contender.A source told the newspaper that Sunshine had been attempting to arrange meetings with Trump as she sought consideration for the role.The press secretary position remains vacant following Zacharia’s departure. Trump has also recently replaced Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff with Miller, marking a major personnel change after Republicans suffered significant losses in the midterm elections.The reports of Zacharia’s possible return have been met with scepticism among administration officials. One official joked about the prospect, saying: “I’ve given birth without drugs and I still can’t imagine that level of pain tolerance.”
