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Zacharia's debut reviewed: one columnist says Trump didn't need her
The Arizona Republic's opinion column argues Katie Zacharia's first White House briefing showed the president can speak for himself; the podium has not commented.
On air: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on The Five O'ClockPublished
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsWatch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on this story, from The Five O'Clock at 5:22 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic: “Zacharia debut proves Trump doesn't need a press secretary | Opinion”.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:22 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman.
- Topics: Katie Zacharia, Trump.
- BBN covered this story before: Katie Zacharia's first briefing as press secretary (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.
- azcentral.com and The Arizona RepublicZacharia debut proves Trump doesn't need a press secretary | Opinion
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAn Arizona Republic opinion column says Katie Zacharia's first briefing as White House press secretary proves Donald Trump doesn't need a press secretary.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorDay one, and she's already redundant. I've seen faster layoffs, but only at companies that sold the building first.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat's one columnist, and earlier today another outlet called the same briefing short and nervy.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNobody has said she was bad, only that the boss talks more.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo she's the opening act. Nobody remembers the opening act.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThey remember the podium.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSublet it. Somebody's going to need the space.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe podium at least never interrupts anyone.
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Photo: Paul Berendsen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons- Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
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The story so far
- Guardian: Zacharia Replaces Leavitt, Who Left After Birth · The Guardian
- Zacharia press secretary pick: six outlets, one name · BBC
- Zacharia starts as White House press secretary Monday · Newsmax
- New press secretary Katie Zacharia plans to stay to the end of term · Washington Examiner
- Scaramucci quips about new press secretary's tenure: 'The clock is… · The Hill
- Katie Zacharia's first briefing as press secretary · Washington Examiner
- Zacharia's debut reviewed: one columnist says Trump didn't need her (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months
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