Katie Zacharia’s White House Tenure Ended in Five Days: Here Are the Other Trump Aides Whose Time Was Cut Short

Katie Zacharia’s tenure as White House press secretary ended on Friday, less than a week after she took the job, making her the shortest-serving aide in Trump’s administration. However, she was far from the only member of his team to be fired almost immediately, with several others lasting even less time than contestants on “The Apprentice.”

Trump, known for his short attention span and preference for staff who look good on television, fired White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci in less than two weeks and dismissed national security adviser Michael Flynn after just over three weeks. Here’s a look at the Trump aides whose time was cut short the fastest.

Big Names, Short Time

Zacharia, the 42-year-old political commentator, was fired on Friday after only five days in the role, following a press conference on Tuesday that media outlets described as “awkward” and “nervous,” along with several other interviews that drew criticism.

She also faced a series of tense interviews on FOX News that Trump called “tough” and came under media scrutiny over headlines alleging she had falsely presented herself as a lawyer.

The former RNC chief of staff stepped down in March 2017 amid a major White House shakeup, announcing plans to move into a senior advisory position at America First Policies, a political advocacy group that supported Trump. She was there for just 69 days.

Anthony Scaramucci, White House Communications Director

Trump fired the outspoken former investment banker in July 2017 after just 11 days, after he gave The New Yorker journalist Ryan Lizza a profanity-filled phone interview that was widely described as an explosive rant. During the call, Scaramucci lashed out at chief strategist Steve Bannon and other White House staffers, declaring, “I’m not Steve Bannon, I’m not trying to suck my own c–ck.”

“I’m not trying to build my own brand off the f–cking strength of the President. I’m here to serve the country.”

Scaramucci’s brief stint in the White House also gave rise to the phrase “get Scaramuccied,” which became a popular way of describing someone who was abruptly fired.

Michael Flynn, National Security Adviser

Michael Flynn’s term lasted for just 24 days. The retired Army lieutenant general was forced to resign in February 2017 after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other senior White House officials about his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump’s inauguration.

Flynn described his December 2016 calls with Kislyak as routine exchanges involving holiday greetings and condolences following a plane crash. He reportedly also denied discussing the sanctions that the Obama administration had recently imposed on Russia.

Michael Dubke, White House Communications Director

Dubke stepped down in May 2017, explaining his decision by saying, “The reasons for my departure are personal.” He was in the role for only 88 days.

His resignation came as Trump considered reshuffling senior West Wing personnel to strengthen his team’s response to political challenges, reportedly including the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

On Friday, some left-leaning commentators noted that several of Trump’s recent high-profile dismissals have involved women. Those named included embattled U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.