Fact Check: Has Trump decided to run the White House without a press secretary?
WASHINGTON, DC: The White House press secretary plays a key role in communicating President Donald Trump's policies and responding to questions from journalists.
However, a viral claim suggests that Trump has apparently decided the White House can operate without a press secretary, raising questions about the future of the administration's communication strategy. Let's fact-check the claim and examine what is known about the White House's plans.
Claim: Trump decided to operate White House without press secretary
🇺🇸 Trump has apparently decided the White House can survive without a press secretary. After Karoline Leavitt's departure and Katie Zacharia's spectacularly short five-day tenure, Peter Doocy reports that Trump is in “NO RUSH” to find another replacement. There isn't even a shortlist. And apparently, the president thinks things have been running perfectly well without someone behind the briefing room podium. Which is pretty funny when you think about it. Trump already answers half the world's questions himself, usually before anyone has even asked them. Maybe he's starting to wonder why he needs a press secretary at all. Writer: Oliver https://t.co/f9dg1VDgUo
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 16, 2026
The rumor originated from an X post by Mario Nawfal, who claimed that President Donald Trump had decided the White House could operate without a press secretary.
The post stated, “Trump has apparently decided the White House can survive without a press secretary. After Karoline Leavitt's departure and Katie Zacharia's spectacularly short five-day tenure, Peter Doocy reports that Trump is in ‘NO RUSH’ to find another replacement.”
The post added, “There isn't even a shortlist. And apparently, the president thinks things have been running perfectly well without someone behind the briefing room podium.”
It concluded, “Which is pretty funny when you think about it. Trump already answers half the world's questions himself, usually before anyone has even asked them. Maybe he's starting to wonder why he needs a press secretary at all.”
The post followed an appearance by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, who reported Trump's statement that he was in “NO RUSH” to name a new press secretary.
The user also quoted Doocy's explanation: “The gist of it is they haven't had a press secretary for a couple of weeks since Karoline Leavitt left, and the president thinks things have been going okay. As for potential replacements, there is no short list at the moment.”
Fact Check: Misleading
The claim is misleading. The White House was left without a press secretary after Katie Zacharia's departure, and Trump said he was in no rush to appoint a replacement. However, no evidence shows that Trump has decided to abolish the position permanently.
The post's statements that the White House can operate without a press secretary and that Trump may question the need for one reflect the author's interpretation of Trump's comments and his preference for communicating directly with the public and the press.
These opinions do not constitute verifiable factual claims. The situation began around October 9, 2026, when Trump announced Zacharia as the new press secretary.
She held her first and only briefing on October 13, which lasted about 14 minutes and drew criticism for its stiff delivery and limited scope. Reporters also questioned her legal credentials, including whether she had passed a bar exam. By October 16, Zacharia had left the position after Trump publicly suggested that she reconsider the role.
Several news outlets described her tenure as lasting about five days, making it one of the shortest stints for a White House press secretary in modern history.
