Katie Zacharia made a bumpy debut as Trump's new press secretary. She spent eight minutes reading from a script, a format that left little room for spontaneous exchange with the press.
During the briefing, Ms. Zacharia called on only three reporters, limiting the number of questions the press corps could put to the administration. The short list of questioners drew attention given the traditional role of the briefing as an open forum.
The session also included an awkward slip-up, which quickly became a focus of coverage. Such moments often draw scrutiny in the early days of a new spokesperson, as reporters and observers measure how the position is being handled.
The debut sets an early benchmark for Ms. Zacharia as she takes on the role. How she balances prepared remarks with direct engagement with reporters in future briefings will likely shape how her tenure is judged.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing