Sean Spicer believes the White House needs to look beyond appearance and personal loyalty when choosing its next press secretary. The former Donald Trump aide shared that warning after Katie Zacharia lasted only five days, raising eyebrows about how the administration selects people for one of Washington’s most important jobs.
Donald Trump’s ex-press secretary warns him about new hires
During a Tuesday appearance on News24, Spicer discussed Katie Zacharia’s brief time in the role after anchor Andrew Bolt questioned whether Trump favored those “who look pretty” and agreed with him over people capable of doing the job. Spicer conceded that looks and loyalty account for about “twenty percent” of the position, but argued that the White House must consider far more.
He highlighted the work behind the podium, including coordinating media appearances, managing announcements, communicating with government agencies and departments, and working with Congress and outside stakeholders. Spicer urged Trump to assess candidates’ abilities instead of letting presentation dominate the hiring process. “So I would just caution them as they look for a new person that they do that,” he explained.
Zacharia’s time in the role also sparked debate over her readiness for the job. Her first press briefing attracted attention after she relied on written notes and accidentally called Trump her husband. Her professional credentials then came under the microscope. An investigation by The Daily Beast reported discrepancies in several interviews about her legal training and work history. Although she attended Pepperdine University, she did not pass California’s bar exam in 2011, yet later claimed to have worked as a corporate lawyer in China.
As per Spicer, the press secretary’s chair isn’t a seat for learning the ropes on the fly. Anyone stepping up to the podium needs to know the ins and outs of government and be ready to handle a room full of reporters firing questions from every angle. Without that experience, even a confident front-person could find themselves out of their depth when the heat is on. “You’ve never worked at the press corps—then this might not be the best fit for you,” he said.
