NPR Examines Press Secretary Role as Zacharia Takes Podium

NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday aired a segment on Oct. 18, 2026, examining the role of the White House press secretary in the Trump era.

Host Ayesha Rascoe asked Adm. John Kirby about the utility of the job, which centers on speaking for the president and answering questions from reporters at the White House. NPR

Kirby has held spokesperson jobs in Democratic administrations. He served in the Obama and Biden administrations, according to the program.

Records show Kirby was appointed as spokesperson for the Department of State on May 12, 2015. His term as assistant secretary for public affairs and department spokesperson began on Dec. 11, 2015. He previously served as Pentagon press secretary as chief spokesman for the Department of Defense, and he was sworn in as assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs on Jan. 20, 2021.

The discussion came days after a change at the White House podium. Katie Zacharia served as White House press secretary in October 2026. The White House identified her as the 37th person to hold the job. White House

Zacharia briefed members of the media on Oct. 13, 2026. That appearance was her first time facing reporters as press secretary, and it was a very brief turn at the lectern. AP

She succeeded Karoline Leavitt in the role. Leavitt briefed members of the media on July 23, 2026, and departed the job in August 2026.

President Donald Trump selected Zacharia for the post. Reuters reported that Trump hired Zacharia after expressing concerns about media coverage of his administration. Reuters

Three days after Zacharia's first briefing, Trump said she should reconsider the White House spokeswoman role. He made the statement on Oct. 16, 2026. Reuters