Leavitt Invokes ‘The Apprentice’ to Explain Trump’s Exit of Zacharia
WHO:
US Magazine - Karoline Leavitt was 29.
TMZ - Karoline Leavitt defended Katie Zacharia, whom the article describes as a recently fired White House press secretary.
Deadline - Karoline Leavitt discussed Katie Zacharia, her successor as Donald Trump’s White House press secretary, on HBO’s *Real Time with Bill Maher*.
TMZ - Leavitt described the press secretary role as a “very tough job” and credited Zacharia for trying it.
WHAT:
US Magazine - Leavitt said, “People say it’s one of the [most difficult jobs]”; the excerpt does not include the rest of the quote.
Deadline - Zacharia held one press briefing, which lasted 14 minutes, before being ousted from the job.
TMZ - Leavitt compared Zacharia’s situation to an episode of Trump’s former television show, *The Apprentice*.
Deadline - Leavitt compared Zacharia’s abrupt departure to *The Apprentice* and said Trump was known for “moving on from people.”
WHERE:
Deadline - The discussion took place on HBO’s *Real Time with Bill Maher*.
Deadline - Zacharia’s role was White House press secretary.
WHEN:
US Magazine - The episode of *Real Time with Bill Maher* was identified as the October 23 episode.
Deadline - The article says Zacharia was in the job for less than a week before she was ousted.
Deadline - Leavitt appeared on *Real Time with Bill Maher* on Friday.
WHY:
TMZ - Leavitt characterized the press secretary position as a “very tough job” while defending Zacharia.
HOW:
TMZ - Leavitt used a comparison to *The Apprentice* to explain Zacharia’s exit.
Deadline - Leavitt described Trump’s approach as “moving on from people.”
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 23:56 UTC)
Karoline Leavitt defended Katie Zacharia, her successor as White House press secretary, during an appearance on HBO’s *Real Time with Bill Maher*. Leavitt described the position as a “very tough job,” saying people consider it one of the most difficult jobs, and credited Zacharia for taking it on. Zacharia was in the role for less than a week before being ousted, after holding just one press briefing that lasted 14 minutes. Leavitt compared the abrupt departure to an episode of President Trump’s former television show, *The Apprentice*. She said Trump was known for “moving on from people,” drawing a parallel between his approach on the show and Zacharia’s exit from the White House. The conversation aired in an episode identified as the October 23 broadcast.
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(UPDATED October 24, 2026 13:07 UTC)
Karoline Leavitt defended Katie Zacharia after her brief and abrupt stint as White House press secretary, saying the role is a very tough job. Speaking on HBO’s *Real Time with Bill Maher*, Leavitt credited Zacharia for taking it on, despite her being in the position for less than a week. Zacharia held just one press briefing, which lasted 14 minutes, before she was ousted. Leavitt likened the departure to an episode of *The Apprentice*, Donald Trump’s former television show. She said Trump was known for moving on from people, drawing a parallel between his approach on television and Zacharia’s sudden exit from the White House role. Leavitt appeared on the program Friday and discussed her successor’s short tenure while defending her effort to take on the demanding position.