I admit that I didn't see newly appointed White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia's first press briefing on Tuesday, aside from the clip posted by Townhall. A very large portion of Democrat X was dedicated to it, though. As I reported earlier, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said it was like an SNL skit and that she'd circle back to it on her 9 p.m. MS NOW show (which I didn't watch). Gov. Kathy Hochul took a shot and ended up roasting the Jets instead. And then there was CNN. I wouldn't ask any Twitchy reader, especially a VIP, to sit through one minute and 42 seconds of Kaitlan Collins, but I'm including this clip just so you can hear her describe the presser as "bizarre."
The first press briefing by the new press secretary included only five and a half minutes of questions. https://t.co/ppNmPtR1sP
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 13, 2026
I know what you're thinking … but what did CNN senior media correspondent Brian Stelter think? He thought it was pretty awkward, and it reminded him of his first time on TV.
If that WH press briefing seemed awkward to you... that's because it was. https://t.co/4qSwr5kGzf
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 13, 2026
The exaggeration also reminded Stelter of Sean Spicer's first time at the podium, playing up exaggerated crowd sizes.
This exaggeration from the new @PressSec felt like a crowd-size flashback to @SeanSpicer's first time at the WH podium: "Attendance is at record highs as enthusiastic, hard working Americans are lining up and packing arenas to support President Trump and Republicans."
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @PressSec @seanspicer We see the crowds, moron. 🤡
— Trump Republican (@4547Republican) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @PressSec @seanspicer Here’s a flashback 🖕🏼 https://t.co/G6gwmfE30f
— CB in Texas (@CB3125211746723) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @PressSec @seanspicer This is not journalism by any means Brian
— Jim Muessig (@JimMuessig) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @PressSec @seanspicer This is so catty and gay.
— TeufelTermite (@TermiteTeu1785) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @PressSec @seanspicer Brian, you will go down in history as... oh, no you won't. Not even a footnote. Your children will deny your paternity.
— Feed your chickens well... (@JohnTilton9) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @PressSec @seanspicer Fat, bald and biased is no way to go through life, tates.
— Nburgh (@nburgh82860) October 13, 2026
But wait, there's more! Stelter says that according to Collins, President Trump wasn't happy with Zacharia's performance, and several (unnamed) White House officials are questioning how long she'll keep her job.
Per @kaitlancollins, "several White House officials are questioning how long Katie Zacharia will keep the press secretary job after her first briefing, noting her performance was unlikely to satisfy President Donald Trump."
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @kaitlancollins Per Kaitlin Collins 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Dean (@DeanSr1164) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @kaitlancollins Laughable - a 15 min press conference and you are speculating. Gotta love the “several White House officials” part too. Such a joke - @CNN is a clown show
— Len (@Len_267) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @kaitlancollins Several sources close to Collins admitted privately that she makes up sources for her stories.
— Steve S (@DangrMous) October 13, 2026
@brianstelter @kaitlancollins The same people who are telling you @KatieZacharia is already bad at her job on her very FIRST day are the same people who told you Jen Psaki and Karine Jean-Pierre were great at their jobs.
— Golfmulligan (@GolfMulligan) October 13, 2026
Psaki is deluded enough to think that we all don't still consider her a joke.
Per our sources, Stelter had better be looking for a new gig now that the Paramount merger has gone through. How long will the Ellisons keep him around?
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