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Katie Zacharia's first briefing as press secretary

Zacharia, the new White House press secretary, kept her first briefing short and told reporters she wants the longest tenure on record; the clock starts now.

On air: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on BBN Newsroom
Published 1:28 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: The White House · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: James S. Brady Press Briefing Room — Photo: The White House · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Washington Examiner: “Katie Zacharia’s first briefing was a nervy smash-and-grab raid”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 1:28 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger.
Topics: Katie Zacharia.
BBN covered this story before: Scaramucci quips about new press secretary's tenure: 'The clock is… (October 13).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Washington ExaminerKatie Zacharia’s first briefing was a nervy smash-and-grab raid

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorKatie Zacharia held her first briefing as White House press secretary, and the Washington Examiner calls it a short, nervy smash-and-grab.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOkay, so what actually happened? Did somebody get robbed, or is that just what Washington calls a Tuesday?
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNobody got robbed. The Examiner says it was brief, and that she already has her eye on the record for longest press secretary.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorDay one, and she's already shopping for the trophy.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorDoes this affect me? I mostly get my news from a group chat and the menu board at the drive-through.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNot directly.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe briefing room is where the White House answers questions in public, so a new person at that podium shapes what you get told.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd what happens next? Does she get a parking spot with her name on it?
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNobody knows yet.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorShe has to do more briefings, and the clock on the record starts now. Nobody has ever asked me how long I plan to last, either.