From Stephen Early to Katie Zacharia: The 10 shortest-serving White House press secretaries

Katie Zacharia stepped down Friday as White House press secretary after just five days, the shortest tenure in the role's history. The New York Times initially reported that she was fired, while a White House official told Fox News that she is "in transition" to another position. President Donald Trump told reporters he suggested she "reconsider" the position and could remain in the administration "in some capacity," perhaps in a "more pleasant" role.

Zacharia, a conservative commentator who worked for Trump Media & Technology Group, was announced on October 9 and took office on Monday, October 12, officially replacing Karoline Leavitt. Zacharia faced harsh criticism following her first and only press conference, which was later compounded by controversy over her educational background. Although she claimed to be a lawyer, the Wall Street Journal reported that she had not passed the U.S. bar exam.

Her departure was compared to Anthony Scaramucci's, who served as communications director for 11 days in the first Trump administration. Although he did not serve as press secretary, he reacted to Zacharia's departure on her X account: "Dear Katie, speaking as the world's leading expert on short White House tenures: turn off the news and go enjoy your family. In time you’ll realize that the Universe did you a major favor."

Here are the ten press secretaries who served the shortest terms.

1. Katie Zacharia (2026): 5 days

After two interviews with Fox News on Thursday night and Friday morning, the White House announced that Zacharia would not continue as press secretary, making her the press secretary with the shortest tenure in history.

2. Stephen Early, acting (1950): 14 days

Stephen Early served as press secretary to Franklin D. Roosevelt for 12 years, the longest tenure in history. He later worked in the private sector and served as undersecretary of defense.

In December 1950, President Harry Truman called him back to serve as acting press secretary following the death of Charlie Ross. He held the position from December 5 to 18, until Joseph Short was appointed.

3. Jerald terHorst (1974): 32 days

A journalist by profession, Jerald terHorst was the first press secretary for President Gerald Ford, who took office on August 9, 1974, following the resignation of Richard Nixon.

A month later, Ford pardoned Nixon, and terHorst resigned in the wake of that decision. His was the shortest tenure of any permanent press secretary until Zacharia.

4. Jonathan Daniels (1945): 48 days

Jonathan Daniels replaced Early as Roosevelt's press secretary on March 29, 1945, less than a month before the president's death. Although he briefly served under Truman, he left the position on May 15.

His tenure was the shortest until terHorst took office.

5. Jim Brady (1981): 70 days in active service

Perhaps the most famous name on the list is Jim Brady, who was appointed press secretary to Ronald Reagan on January 20, 1981. On March 30, 69 days into the presidency, he was shot during the assassination attempt against Reagan.

Although he couldn't return to work, he kept the title until the end of the Republican president's second term. Larry Speakes replaced him on an interim basis and handled the daily press briefings. The White House press room has borne his name since 2000.

6. Jake Siewert (2000–2001): 113 days

Jake Siewert served as deputy press secretary to Bill Clinton beginning in 1998 and assumed the role of press secretary on September 30, 2000, when Joe Lockhart resigned a few months before the end of the term.

He served until January 20, 2001, the last day of the Clinton administration.

7. Roger Tubby (1952–1953): 125 days

Seventh on the list is Roger Tubby, who took office as press secretary on September 18, 1952, the same day his predecessor, Joseph Short, died.

He served out the remainder of Truman's term until January 20, 1953. James Hagerty succeeded him and served for eight years under Dwight Eisenhower.

8. George Stephanopoulos (1993): 139 days

Another of the most high-profile names on the list is George Stephanopoulos. He served informally as press secretary at the beginning of Bill Clinton's administration, although Dee Dee Myers held the official position.

On June 7, 1993, he left that role and continued as a policy and strategy advisor until 1996. Today, he is one of the most famous journalists at ABC News.

9. Sean Spicer (2017): 183 days

Sean Spicer was Trump's first press secretary during his first term. After a few months in the position, he resigned in July 2017. Sarah Huckabee Sanders replaced him and is now the governor of Arkansas.

10. Stephanie Grisham (2019–2020): 282 days

The last name on the list also served under President Trump. Before taking office as press secretary, Stephanie Grisham had served as spokesperson for First Lady Melania Trump.

She was appointed Director of Communications in July 2019, after Sanders' departure. Without holding any formal press conferences, she left the position on April 7, 2020, and returned to the First Lady's office as chief of staff. She resigned on January 6, 2021.