Trump’s Press Secretary Fired After Just Five Days and One Briefing

US President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, has been removed from the role after just five days, following controversy over her legal credentials and criticism of her first press briefing.

Zacharia’s departure was reported on Friday, October 16, 2026, ending one of the shortest tenures in the history of the White House press secretary position. Two senior Trump administration officials told Axios that she had been ousted, while other reports said she was transitioning out of the role.

The controversy surrounding Zacharia began shortly after she assumed the position, succeeding Karoline Leavitt. Her first and only White House press briefing, held on Tuesday, October 13, lasted less than 15 minutes and featured questions from only three media outlets: Breitbart, Fox News and the Daily Mail. Her delivery, reliance on prepared remarks and limited engagement with reporters drew criticism from media commentators.

However, the most serious questions centred on her legal background. Zacharia holds a law degree from Pepperdine University, which she obtained in 2011, and had previously described herself as a lawyer. Trump also introduced her as an attorney when announcing her appointment.

But in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday, Zacharia acknowledged that she had not passed the bar examination and had never retaken it. She explained that she was preparing to move to China with her husband around the time she took the examination and considered the result less important because of the planned relocation.

A law degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise law in the United States. Lawyers generally must also be admitted to practise by a state or other relevant jurisdiction. Reuters reported that it could not find records showing Zacharia was registered as an attorney or member of the bar in any US state or the District of Columbia.

Zacharia defended her use of the term “lawyer”, saying she had consulted people who advised her that her law degree and international transactional law experience supported the description. Nevertheless, the issue attracted further scrutiny, with critics questioning whether her public descriptions had given a misleading impression of her professional status. The allegations have not, by themselves, established a legal violation.

Her first briefing also came under scrutiny for its limited questioning and uneven delivery. Although Trump initially praised her performance, he later told reporters he had advised her to reconsider the job, blaming what he described as hostile media coverage. The White House subsequently confirmed that she was leaving the position.

The sudden departure raises questions about the vetting of senior political appointments and the importance of clear, accurate professional credentials, particularly for officials expected to communicate the president’s position to the public.

The White House press secretary is responsible for briefing journalists, explaining administration policies and responding to questions on government decisions. The role requires both effective communication and credibility, especially during periods of political controversy.

Zacharia’s five-day tenure ended before she had the opportunity to establish a regular briefing routine. While her departure followed mounting questions about her credentials and her first appearance before the press, the administration’s public account described her as transitioning out rather than issuing a detailed explanation of a formal dismissal.

Is Trump’s New Press Secretary Really a Lawyer? Zacharia’s Credentials and First Briefing Under Scrutiny

United States President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, is facing questions about her legal qualifications and her readiness for one of the administration’s most visible communication roles following her first press briefing.

Zacharia, who replaced Karoline Leavitt, previously worked as a conservative political commentator on Fox News and Newsmax. She also served briefly as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security and worked as a communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group before her appointment.

However, attention has shifted from her political background to a more specific question: does she hold the qualifications required to practise law?

Does Katie Zacharia have a law degree?

Yes. Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University with an undergraduate degree in 2007 and obtained her law degree from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2011, according to the Associated Press.

But earning a law degree is not the same as being licensed to practise law.

In the United States, lawyers generally must meet the requirements of the relevant jurisdiction, which commonly include passing a bar examination and being admitted to practise.

According to the Associated Press, the State Bar of California said it had no record of Zacharia, under her known names, being licensed to practise law in California. An investigation by the independent news outlet Popular Information also reported that it found no record of her being licensed in any of the 50 states it checked or Washington, D.C.

Zacharia has maintained that she practised international transaction law with the appropriate credentials. Her professional background also lists work with a law firm in Beijing and a role as general counsel for the organisation Fix California.

However, publicly available reporting has not established where she obtained a licence to practise law.

The issue attracted further attention after a reporter asked where she had passed the bar examination. Zacharia responded, “When I moved to China,” but the exchange did not clearly establish what qualification she meant.

The Associated Press reported that China’s national legal qualification examination is restricted to Chinese citizens. It also reported that the White House had not provided evidence that Zacharia passed a bar examination in a US state or China. A complaint has since been filed with the California State Bar requesting an investigation into whether she misrepresented her legal credentials. The complaint is not, by itself, proof of wrongdoing.⁠

How did she perform in her first press briefing?

Zacharia held her first White House press briefing on October 13, 2026. The session lasted approximately 14 minutes and included questions from only a small number of journalists.

An Associated Press assessment described the briefing as a difficult debut. The report noted that Zacharia frequently looked down at her notes, read from a prepared script and stumbled during some exchanges. She also appeared to mix up the words “husband” and “president” while speaking.

She took questions from journalists representing Breitbart, Fox News and the Daily Mail before bringing the briefing to an end and directing reporters to put further questions to Trump. The limited questioning drew criticism, particularly because the outlets called upon have generally been more sympathetic to the president than some other news organisations.

Her first appearance was not without a news development, however. Zacharia announced that Trump had asked Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece, to resign.

Trump subsequently praised Zacharia’s performance, describing her debut as “excellent”, while the White House defended her appointment and expressed confidence in her ability to do the job.

Has she proved herself capable of the job?

It is too early to reach a final conclusion about Zacharia’s ability to serve as White House press secretary based on one briefing.

The role requires more than confidence in front of cameras. A press secretary must communicate government decisions clearly, respond to difficult questions, explain policies accurately and maintain credibility with journalists and the public.

Zacharia’s first briefing raised questions about her preparation, her handling of questions and the administration’s approach to media access. At the same time, one appearance does not establish how she will perform over the coming weeks and months.

Her previous experience in political commentary and communications may help her understand how to deliver a political message. Whether she can also provide clear, substantive answers under pressure will become clearer as she handles more briefings.

The bigger questions

Zacharia’s appointment has brought two separate issues into focus: the evidence supporting her claims about her legal credentials and the standards by which the public should assess her performance as the president’s spokesperson.

The first requires documentary evidence and clarification of her professional qualifications. The second requires observing how she handles questions, explains government policy and responds to scrutiny over time.

For now, the available evidence supports a clear distinction: Zacharia has a law degree, but her licence to practise law in the United States has not been established in the public reporting reviewed. Her first briefing also attracted criticism, although it is too early to determine her overall effectiveness in the role.

As she settles into the position, the central test will be whether she can communicate the administration’s position clearly while providing journalists and the public with substantive answers to legitimate questions.

Woman Who Cut Off Ex-Husband’s Penis Gets Second Chance as He Plans to Remarry Her

A Brazilian man, Gilberto Nogueira de Oliveira, has reportedly expressed his intention to remarry his ex-wife, Daiane dos Santos Farias, despite an attack in 2023 that left him with a severe genital injury.

Daiane was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison over the incident, which reportedly occurred on December 22, 2023. According to reports, she was released in November, after which Gilberto contacted her to rekindle their relationship, saying he had missed her.

Reports state that Daiane lured Gilberto into a sexual encounter before restraining him with a pair of knickers and cutting his genitals with a knife.

Gilberto was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment. However, he later faced further distress when photographs of his injuries, which he had reportedly consented to having taken for medical purposes, circulated online.

According to reports, medical staff had taken the photographs because they had not encountered a similar case and wanted to assess the injury to determine an appropriate course of treatment.

Gilberto later discovered that the images had allegedly been shared in a WhatsApp group before spreading on X, formerly Twitter. Investigators reportedly traced one of the photographs to a computer at the hospital.

The Santa Casa de Atibaia medical centre was subsequently ordered to pay him compensation of 20,000 Brazilian reais, equivalent to approximately £3,020 at the time of the reports.

However, Gilberto expressed dissatisfaction with the amount, saying it did not adequately reflect the pain and humiliation he had endured.

“This compensation is very low. I want more. I need money because I also want to renovate my house,” he said.

He has reportedly appealed for additional compensation. Meanwhile, he intends to use the money towards his planned wedding and a penile prosthesis.

Gilberto has already undergone blood tests ahead of the proposed surgery, which he may receive assistance for through Brazil’s public healthcare system.

Despite the circumstances surrounding the attack, Gilberto has continued to defend Daiane, describing her actions as something she did “in the heat of the moment”.

Explaining his decision to reconcile with her, he said: “I really want to get back together with her. I love her.

“It never crossed my mind to do anything bad to her, and it still doesn’t.”

You Will Go to Hell If You Don’t Vote, Trump Warns Supporters Ahead of US Midterms

US President Donald Trump urged Republican supporters to turn out for the November midterm elections during a convention in Dallas, Texas.

US President Donald Trump has urged his Republican supporters to turn out in large numbers for the November midterm elections, telling them they would “go to hell” if they failed to vote.

Trump made the remark on Thursday while addressing supporters at the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, as he sought to rally the party’s base ahead of the November 3 elections.

“You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell,” Trump told the crowd.

He also asked supporters to bring their friends and family to the polls and led the audience in an unusual pledge to vote in the upcoming election.

During the pledge, Trump also told supporters he would “try to cheat like hell,” echoing his repeated allegations that Democrats engage in election cheating. His comments came as Republicans seek to maintain control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Trump used his address to promote what he described as achievements of his administration, including the performance of the stock market, lower prescription drug prices, increased military spending and a reduction in illegal border crossings.

“In 19 months, I’ve delivered on every single promise I’ve made,” Trump said.

He also warned that a Democratic victory in November would reverse what he described as the gains made under his administration.

Trump criticised Democrats over issues including wealth, the oil and gas industry and crime, while urging Republicans to treat the midterm elections as a vote on the direction of the country.

Vice President JD Vance also used the convention to encourage Republicans to protect their majorities in Congress.

“Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there,” Vance told supporters.

The two-day convention in Dallas was the Republican Party’s first dedicated midterm convention and provided Vance with a prominent platform to rally the party’s base.

Vance’s appearance also drew renewed attention to his position within the Republican Party and speculation over his potential ambitions ahead of the 2028 presidential election, although he did not formally announce a presidential campaign.

The November midterm elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives and Senate for the remainder of Trump’s current presidential term.

Tinubu Mourns Tanzania’s First Gentleman, Hafidh Ameir Hassan

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Tinubu described Ameir’s death as a painful loss to President Samia, her children and the wider Hassan family, noting that he had stood quietly beside the Tanzanian leader for almost five decades.

In a condolence message, the Nigerian President said he understood the magnitude of the loss suffered by his Tanzanian counterpart, describing Ameir as a lifelong companion to President Samia and a beloved father to their children.

Tinubu said the late First Gentleman had remained by President Samia’s side through the various stages of her service to Tanzania.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, and on behalf of my family, I extend my deepest condolences to President Samia, her children, the Hassan family and the people of Tanzania,” Tinubu said.

The President noted that the death had come at a difficult moment for the Tanzanian leader and her family, saying the depth of their decades-long companionship made the loss particularly painful.

He also emphasised the ties between Nigeria and Tanzania, saying the bonds that unite African countries become even more important during moments of grief.

“ Nigeria mourns with Tanzania and stands with President Samia and her family in this hour of grief,” he said.

Tinubu prayed for the soul of the late Hafidh Ameir Hassan and asked Allah to grant him eternal rest while giving President Samia and her family the strength to endure the loss.

Ameir, an agricultural academic who largely maintained a low public profile, became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman after President Samia assumed office in 2021.

He died at the age of 71 after reportedly suffering from a heart condition. Funeral arrangements are underway in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, where he is expected to be laid to rest.

Tanzania President’s Husband ‘First Gentleman’ Hafidh Ameir Hassan Dies at 71

Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the country’s first First Gentleman, has died at the age of 71.

Ameir died on Monday, September 7, 2026, at about 8:00 a.m. local time while receiving medical treatment at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar.

Tanzania’s Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi announced his death, saying Ameir had been suffering from a heart condition.

Ndejembi conveyed condolences to President Samia, the family, relatives and friends of the deceased, as well as the people of Tanzania.

Ameir largely stayed away from the political spotlight despite being married to one of Africa’s most prominent political figures.

An agricultural academic and retired agricultural professional, he became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman after his wife assumed the presidency in March 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli.

His position as First Gentleman was historic because President Samia became Tanzania’s first woman to serve as president. Ameir had therefore spent more than five years in the role, while continuing to maintain a relatively private public profile.

Ameir and President Samia were married in 1978 and had four children together, including their daughter Wanu Hafidh Ameir, who is involved in politics and serves in the Zanzibar House of Representatives.

Despite his wife’s rise through Tanzania’s political ranks, Ameir was generally known for keeping a low profile and maintaining a life largely separate from the political activities surrounding the presidency.

His death has triggered condolences from leaders across the region.

Kenyan President William Ruto expressed sorrow over the death, saying President Samia had lost a lifelong companion, while Tanzania had lost a distinguished son. He extended condolences to the President, her family and the people of Tanzania.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema also expressed condolences to President Samia and the Tanzanian people, while other regional leaders have joined in mourning the former First Gentleman.

Funeral arrangements are currently underway in Kizimkazi, a village in Zanzibar associated with Ameir’s family. Further details about the funeral and burial are expected to be announced by the authorities and family.

Ameir’s death comes as President Samia continues her second term in office after winning the 2025 presidential election. His passing marks the loss of a figure who, despite occupying a historically significant position, largely remained outside the public spotlight.

Tanzania is now mourning the death of a man who became the country’s first First Gentleman while maintaining a reputation for privacy, academic work and a relatively quiet public life.

32-Year-Old Bank of America vice president killed in Times Square Stabbing

 

A 32-year-old Bank of America vice president has been killed after being stabbed in what police described as a random and unprovoked attack in New York City’s Times Square.

The victim, identified as Erin Piacenti of Chester, New Jersey, was attacked on Monday afternoon, August 31, near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, close to Bank of America’s New York office.

Police said the incident began at about 4:24 p.m. when a woman carrying two knives in a shopping bag allegedly approached a 68-year-old man and stabbed him. She then attacked Piacenti, who was also stabbed in the abdomen.

Both victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital. Piacenti later died from her injuries, while the 68-year-old man remained hospitalised in stable condition. Police said there was no apparent connection between the attacker and either victim.

Authorities identified the suspect as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens. Police said Cisneros fled the area after the attacks and was later confronted by officers several blocks away.

According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, officers spent about four minutes ordering Cisneros to drop the knives. Police said she refused and threatened the officers before waving the weapons and advancing towards them.

Officers deployed Tasers, but they were unsuccessful in stopping her. Two officers then fired their service weapons, striking Cisneros. She was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead.

Police said Cisneros had previous mental-health-related encounters with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019 but had no arrest history with the department. Authorities have also said there is no indication that the attack was terrorism-related. 

Piacenti was a lawyer who worked as a vice president in Bank of America’s business selection and conflicts division. She had earned her law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021.

Her death has drawn a strong reaction from Bank of America, which expressed shock and sadness over the loss of its employee and described her as a valued colleague.

Fordham Law School also expressed grief over Piacenti’s death.

According to reports, Piacenti had recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary with her husband, Frank Piacenti, who is also a lawyer. The couple had also recently purchased their first home in Chester, New Jersey.

The attack occurred in one of New York City’s busiest tourist areas, just steps away from a police substation and near Bank of America’s office tower.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani thanked the officers who responded to the incident, while the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is reviewing the police shooting. Body-camera footage from the confrontation is expected to be released at a later date.

The incident has renewed concerns about public safety in Times Square, although authorities have described the stabbing as an isolated, random attack rather than a coordinated or terror-related incident.

Two Nigerians Extradited to US Over Sextortion Cases Linked to Deaths of Teenage Boys

Two Nigerian men have been extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face federal charges over alleged financially motivated sextortion schemes involving teenage boys, with U.S. authorities linking the separate cases to the deaths of two minors.

The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Mudasiru Afeez Olawale and 26-year-old Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited to the United States on Thursday, August 27, 2026, following investigations involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Nigerian authorities.

The U.S. Department of Justice said both men had been arrested in Nigeria in August 2023 as part of a wider FBI operation targeting financially motivated sextortion networks operating from Nigeria and targeting minors in the United States.

Adekunle, a Lagos resident, was arrested on August 14, 2023, and has been charged in Mississippi over an alleged sextortion scheme involving a teenage victim whose death prosecutors say resulted from the abuse.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Adekunle faces charges including sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, production of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort.

He appeared before a federal court in Oxford, Mississippi, on August 28.

Prosecutors said Adekunle faces a possible life sentence if convicted, while the charge involving sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years.

Olawale, who was arrested in Nigeria on August 9, 2023, was extradited to the United States to face charges in North Carolina.

The U.S. Department of Justice said he had been indicted in August 2023 on offences relating to the alleged sexual exploitation of minors, coercion and enticement, distribution of child sexual abuse material and interstate threatening communications.

Olawale appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Greensboro, North Carolina, on August 28. The U.S. authorities said the case involves the alleged sextortion of two victims and the death of one teenage victim.

The FBI said the alleged schemes involved financially motivated sextortion, in which victims were allegedly threatened with the release of intimate images unless they provided money or other forms of payment.

The U.S. Justice Department said the two cases form part of a broader international effort to dismantle criminal networks behind financially motivated sextortion, which American authorities say has been linked to the deaths by suicide of dozens of teenagers in the United State.

The extraditions were carried out with the assistance of the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja and FBI personnel who travelled to Nigeria to take the suspects into U.S. custody.

Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, also assisted in the operation.

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the extraditions demonstrated the U.S. government’s determination to pursue individuals accused of exploiting vulnerable children regardless of where they operate.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the two men as high-value targets who had been in Nigeria for about three years after their arrests before being returned to the United States to face prosecution.

The U.S. authorities stressed that the allegations remain accusations and that both men are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

The cases also highlight growing international cooperation between Nigerian and U.S. law enforcement agencies in tackling online sexual exploitation and financially motivated sextortion, particularly crimes targeting minors.