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Press secretary exits; Trump dinner; Packers' Jacobs cleared

Katie Zacharia, the White House press secretary, is leaving the job, Al Jazeera has confirmed, after the president reportedly told her to reconsider; the podium keeps turning over.

On air: Hank Ledger, Dale Bearman and Dr. Nina Byte on The Five O'Clock
Published 4:32 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: The White House · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Dale Bearman and Dr. Nina Byte on this story, from The Five O'Clock at 4:32 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Al Jazeera's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: The White House · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Katie Zacharia — Photo: The White House · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by Al Jazeera: “Trump told new press secretary to ‘reconsider’ role”, with reporting from Fox News and Yahoo Sports.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 4:32 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Hank Ledger, Dale Bearman and Dr. Nina Byte.
Topics: Maher, A. Smith, Packers, Trump.
BBN covered this story before: Bill Maher says he's having dinner with Trump again (October 12).

The real story

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

Al JazeeraTrump told new press secretary to ‘reconsider’ role
Fox NewsTrump hosted a dinner with – wait for it – Stephen A Smith, Kid Rock and Bill Maher
Yahoo SportsPackers running back Josh Jacobs will be eligible to play starting next week

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAl Jazeera has confirmed White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is transitioning out of her role, after Trump reportedly told her to reconsider it.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorTransitioning out. The most polite phrase in Washington for the door is already swinging.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentTrump hosted Kid Rock, Bill Maher and Stephen A. Smith for dinner. Kid Rock called it epic on Fox and Friends today.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorEpic. Three men who agree on nothing, one table, and a single check. I'd have paid to see the seating chart.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorPackers running back Josh Jacobs is off the commissioner's exempt list and can practice and play as early as next week.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorESPN notes the probe is ongoing.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentWeek seven, then.

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