Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia keeps first briefing short

A brief first appearance

Katie Zacharia held her first briefing as President Donald Trump’s White House press secretary Tuesday, ending the session in less than 15 minutes after taking questions from three reporters.

She spent more than half the briefing reading prepared remarks before calling on reporters from Breitbart, Fox News and the Daily Mail. The session was among the shortest White House press briefings in recent history.

Zacharia, a conservative commentator, used much of her opening statement to promote Trump’s policies. She described her new role as an extension of her work supporting and explaining the president’s message in media appearances.

Questions from reporters

When Fox News asked whether the United States had stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, Zacharia said she would need to follow up with an answer.

In response to a Daily Mail question, she said the administration had asked Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, to resign following allegations of misconduct.

Zacharia also said Trump would continue a series of midterm campaign appearances, with future stops planned in Kentucky, Georgia and Florida.

Political timing

Zacharia is taking over as the White House’s top spokesperson during the final weeks before the midterm elections. Trump has been making campaign trips as voters prepare to choose members of Congress and other officeholders.

The poll also found broad dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy.