The White House announced on Friday that Katie Zacharia had resigned from her position as press secretary after serving only five days in the role. Her departure followed a poorly received debut briefing and questions about her professional background.

Zacharia had been selected for the post after the president viewed her on television, according to reports. During her first briefing, she struggled to answer basic questions and faced criticism for inconsistencies in her public statements. The scrutiny intensified after journalists highlighted gaps in her employment history and legal qualifications.

A senior administration official confirmed her exit without providing further explanation. The move was described internally as mutually agreed upon, though no successor has been named. Zacharia’s brief stint joins a list of high-profile tenures that ended abruptly in recent years, including those of former press secretaries and short-lived corporate ventures.

The episode has drawn attention to the administration’s approach to communications staffing, with analysts noting the unusual speed of the transition. No official comment was offered on whether the decision was influenced by internal disagreements or external pressure.

Zacharia did not respond to requests for comment. Her departure comes amid broader changes to the White House press operations, though the timing and impact remain unclear.