When he launched his 2016 bid for the White House, many Americans knew him from his stint as host of The Apprentice, where aspiring entrepreneurs vied for a job in his real estate empire. However, Trump often exaggerated the show's ratings success, which peaked during its debut season but declined steadily over subsequent years. Despite this, his unscripted and sometimes incoherent outbursts on the show were edited to make him appear like a straight-talking businessman.

The Apprentice was more of a breakout hit than Trump lets on, but it ultimately failed to sustain high ratings over time. His willingness to say whatever it took to stay in the news cycle seemed to cement his reputation as a charismatic TV personality at the time. Yet, this image may be nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion.

Trump's recent struggles with television are evident in the departure of his latest press secretary, Katie Zacharia, who lasted only five days on the job after a disastrous first briefing just weeks before crucial midterm elections.

The Trump administration's attempts to bypass traditional media outlets and deliver its message directly to voters through broadcast content have been met with a resounding lack of success.

A prime example of this effort is the recent "Million Dollar Pitch Competition" streamed by the US Small Business Administration, which featured five business owners vying for a $1 million cash prize. The event was hosted by actor Dean Cain and included celebrity judges such as Grant Cardone, Nicki Minaj, and Joe Gebbia.

The competition's premise aimed to showcase the Trump administration's efforts to bring factory jobs back to the US, but the execution fell flat. Despite its attempt to mimic popular TV formats like Shark Tank and American Idol, the event was criticized for being dull and lacking in excitement.

The Million Dollar Pitch Competition is just one of many attempts by the Trump administration to produce content that resonates with voters through broadcast media. However, these efforts have thus far failed to gain traction or generate significant interest among viewers.

The White House's attempts to create engaging content have been met with lukewarm reception at best. The Million Dollar Pitch Competition, a show where entrepreneurs compete for funding, was judged on the enthusiasm of its presenters rather than the economic merits of their pitches.

Although Trump himself did not attend the competition, the show featured brief segments where participants met with him in the Oval Office, sparking criticism that the event prioritized entertainment over substance. The YouTube stream of the competition garnered a paltry 60,000 views within a day of its posting.

The reaction to the event on X, a social media platform often associated with Trump supporters, was overwhelmingly negative. Users accused the White House of being more concerned with producing game show-style content than addressing pressing issues like the cost of living. Some even suggested that the administration's approach was eerily reminiscent of dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games.

The White House's efforts to create its own programming have been unsuccessful across the board, including a 24/7 streaming channel launched as part of its ongoing campaign against mainstream news outlets. Recent episodes have featured unremarkable footage of border agents driving along the US-Mexico wall, followed by testimonials from individuals describing violent crimes committed by migrants.

The State of the Union address broadcast on Wednesday featured footage from February's speech by President Trump.

The Real Food Show on YouTube has seen a decline in audience since its July premiere, despite releasing just six episodes so far. This cooking series, presented by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, aims to teach viewers affordable and healthy home recipes through collaborations with chefs.

In the latest segment of The Real Food Show, actor Lou Ferrigno and former bodybuilder Cain were featured alongside Kennedy, highlighting that some of Trump's most notable allies are known for their roles in past-century TV shows. This observation underscores a broader trend within MAGA media.

UFC Freedom 250, a mixed martial arts event held on the South Lawn of the White House in June, stands out as a rare ratings success story for Trump-aligned media this year. Despite losing $30 million, the event broke viewership records for live streaming on Paramount+, with an average of 7 million viewers tuning in.

UFC's Dana White had set ambitious targets for viewership numbers, hoping to surpass those achieved during major sporting events like the Super Bowl. However, despite the efforts of Trump's team, these lofty goals remained unmet.

White has since stated that his organization cannot afford to collaborate with Trump again, implying a lack of confidence in their ability to produce successful programming together. This development is a blow to the administration, which continues to struggle in captivating a significant audience without external support from experienced producers. The result is a continued absence of genuine TV appeal for Trump's team.

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/trump-isnt-even-good-at-tv-anymore/

Zacharia's tenure was marked by controversy from the start. She held only one press briefing on Tuesday, which drew attention from just three news outlets. This limited engagement suggests she struggled to establish herself in her new role. Her defense of being a lawyer despite lacking bar certification has raised eyebrows within the legal community.

In California, multiple large brush fires are forcing residents to evacuate their homes. A blaze in Malibu prompted evacuation orders and warnings for those living in the Santa Monica Mountains. Another fire burned several homes in Orange County, with power companies shutting off service to tens of thousands of customers.

The West Bank is also witnessing unrest as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians collecting their autumn olive harvest. Dozens of cars and trees were set ablaze during the violence, which has sparked outrage among Palestinian communities. The situation remains tense, with no immediate signs of de-escalation.

Strong Santa Ana winds have been making it difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze, with gusts reaching up to 70 miles per hour in some areas.

The hot and dry conditions are expected to persist through Saturday, further increasing the risk of fires spreading.

In a separate incident, violence erupted in the West Bank as dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians gathered for their autumn olive harvest. The settlers set cars and trees ablaze, while masked men chased and beat people with gas canisters.

More than a dozen people were injured across at least eight villages, including American photojournalist Heidi Levine from The Washington Post. She described the attackers as "monsters who are giving Israel a bad name worldwide.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence but questioned the circumstances surrounding the assault, saying they remain unclear and under investigation, while The Washington Post expressed outrage over the attack on one of their journalists.

President Trump has expressed his disapproval of Ukraine's decision to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, calling it a disgrace". This move comes after a brief pause in such attacks following Trump's declaration of an energy cease-fire on Sunday.

However, Russia continued its own strikes despite the temporary halt by Ukraine. The situation remains volatile as both sides engage in intense military activities, with Kyiv facing significant challenges in its efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression.

The humanitarian crisis is deepening in Ukraine, with reports emerging that at least 15 people were injured nationwide due to recent Russian attacks. Furthermore, a sharp increase in Ukrainian civilian casualties has been reported over the past few weeks, according to official figures.

Meanwhile, the Vatican has announced that Pope Leo held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin today, during which he expressed his deep concern for the humanitarian situation in the occupied town of Oleshky near the front lines.

The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin supports the Vatican's call for humanitarian aid to reach residents in a occupied town.

Meanwhile, new images of Pope Leo have been released by the Vatican, showing him celebrating mass at a hospital in Rome where he is being treated following his recent lung cancer surgery. Church officials indicate that Pope Leo plans to deliver traditional prayers this Sunday, although it remains unclear whether he will do so from the Vatican or remotely from the hospital.

PBS NewsHour Politics: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/news-wrap-zacharia-out-as-white-house-press-secretary-after-less-than-a-week-on-the-job

Zacharia's resume has been a subject of interest due to discrepancies in her claimed experience. Specifically, it emerged that she had falsely stated passing the California bar exam, which she later acknowledged under pressure.

In addition to this revelation, Zacharia was also linked to an affiliate marketing role for Beachbody, a fitness company with multi-level marketing (MLM) business practices.

A recent announcement about Katie Zacharia's involvement in a startup appears to have been made without her knowledge or consent. The press release, which stated that she was joining the board of NRED, an AI and rare-earths company, has not been approved by Zacharia herself.

According to Sam Amsterdam, a strategic marketing and media engagement professional who claims to represent Zacharia, the release was issued without her consent. Amsterdam's clients have included various governments and political parties around the world, including Kazakhstan, Georgia, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.

Amsterdam clarified that while discussions about Zacharia joining NRED had taken place, she never actually took on the role. Despite this, the press release announcing her involvement is still listed on NRED's website as of last Friday.

An archived version of NovaRed's website reveals that Zacharia was listed as part of the management team as far back as July.

Saitarli, the founder of NovaRed, attributed the outdated information to the site being in the process of an update.

Zacharia's involvement with NovaRed is particularly noteworthy given her previous role at DHS, where she worked under Noem for a brief period before joining NovaRed eight days after Noem's appointment was announced.

The spring saw a significant shift in NovaRed's advisory board, which began to feature high-profile individuals with ties to the defense sector and MAGA.

NovaRed's advisory board underwent significant changes in the spring, but one individual caught the attention of at least one insider. Ehr, a company executive, expressed his surprise and concern when he discovered that Kristi Noem and another DHS spokesperson, Katie Zacharia, had been added to the board.

Ehr claimed to have no knowledge about mining or commodities, which seemed unrelated to NovaRed's focus on AI research. He was particularly troubled by Noem's inclusion due to her involvement in a high-profile ICE occupation in Minneapolis that had received widespread criticism.

The hiring practices of NovaRed, a rare-earths startup, have raised eyebrows among industry insiders. Ehr, who served on its advisory board, expressed surprise at the lack of technical expertise among its new recruits. He expected to see geologists or consultants with mining industry experience, but instead found individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Gregory Fedun, for instance, brought a unique set of skills to the table, having previously advised the Al Mualla Royal Family on international projects. Media executive Lee Caplin, known for his work on HBO's True Detective series, was also part of the team. Ehr's concerns about NovaRed's hiring practices likely contributed to his decision to resign from the advisory board.

As Zacharia navigated her own controversies surrounding Beachbody, a multi-level marketing company she had previously affiliated with, she sought to clarify her relationship with NovaRed. Meanwhile, Ehr was grappling with the implications of Noem's involvement in the startup. His reservations about the federal government's priorities likely influenced his decision to step down from the advisory board.

The unusual combination of individuals associated with NovaRed has sparked questions about its goals and motivations. As the company continues to attract attention, it remains to be seen how these developments will play out.

The controversy surrounding Katie Zacharia and her involvement with an AI rare-earths startup continues to unfold. Summers, a representative of the company, has pushed back against claims that the venture was a "pyramid scheme", which Zacharia had previously described.

Summers' response suggests a differing perspective on the business model, one that may be at odds with Zacharia's characterization. When asked about her own thoughts on Zacharia's rapid rise to prominence, Summers offered only kind words for her former colleague.

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/katie-zacharia-was-linked-to-an-ai-rare-earths-startup-its-even-weirder-than-it-sounds/

Zacharia's tenure was marked by controversy from the start, with many questioning whether she had overstated her qualifications. Her background as a conservative commentator and adviser to the company behind Truth Social has been scrutinized, particularly given her recent appointment to such a high-profile role. The White House had announced her selection on October 9.

Zacharia's only briefing as press secretary was met with skepticism from journalists and observers alike. The session, which lasted mere minutes, saw her take just three questions before abruptly ending the Q&A period. Her decision to do so has been seen as a sign of inexperience or perhaps even an attempt to avoid further scrutiny.

The criticism surrounding Zacharia's qualifications extends beyond her professional background. In a recent interview with Fox News, she was asked about her status as a lawyer after failing the bar exam. She responded by downplaying its significance, suggesting that it would not be relevant while living in China. This assertion has been met with skepticism, given the importance of having proper legal credentials.

The White House itself appears to be trying to distance itself from Zacharia's short-lived tenure. While officials have stopped short of explicitly confirming her departure, they are hinting at a transition period. Trump himself has weighed in on the matter, reportedly urging Zacharia to reconsider taking on the role.

Zacharia's tenure as White House press secretary was marked by a series of interviews with conservative media outlets, where she reflected on her first briefing in the role.

In an interview with Human Events, Zacharia explained that she had not been fully prepared for her initial briefing due to time constraints and that it was always intended to be brief. This decision was reportedly driven by President Donald Trump's preference for engaging directly with the press corps.

Zacharia stated that she aimed to keep the briefing short, given the President's tendency to take questions from journalists in person. She acknowledged that her goal was to give President Trump ample opportunity to address the media himself.

According to Zacharia, she received the initial briefing materials on Monday evening and completed them by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, just under two hours before appearing before the White House press corps. Despite being up since 3 a.m., she admitted that she had not had time for a full preparation beforehand.

In an interview with Fox News commentator Sean Hannity, Zacharia expressed regret over taking questions from the press without adequate preparation. She suggested that it might have been wiser to limit her role to introducing herself and engaging with the press corps rather than attempting to lead the briefing.

Zacharia's background in law was a topic of scrutiny during her brief tenure as White House press secretary, and it appears that personal circumstances may have contributed to her lack of preparation for the role.

She revealed that she had recently gotten married and was planning to move to China with her husband, who works in private equity in Beijing. At the time, Zacharia was also preparing to take the bar exam in California, but ultimately did not pass.

Zacharia's decision to pursue a career in law while living abroad may have been influenced by her circumstances, as she downplayed the significance of not passing the bar exam.

She consulted with multiple legal experts to ensure that her use of the title "lawyer" was accurate when providing legal analysis, and maintained that it was not a misrepresentation. Zacharia emphasized that she never presented herself as an attorney-at-law, but rather provided general knowledge on legal matters.

Zacharia's approach to securing the White House press secretary position was also highlighted during her tenure. She stated that she had not actively lobbied for the role, and instead allowed others to recommend her for the vacancy left by Karoline Leavitt.

Katie Zacharia's tenure as White House press secretary lasted just five days before she stepped down from the role.

To prepare for her potential new job, Zacharia would closely monitor President Trump's social media posts to determine what was on his mind, then use that information to discuss relevant topics in TV appearances. By being visible and showcasing her expertise, she hoped to catch the president's eye and be considered for the position. According to her own philosophy, getting recruited by the president would be a more effective approach than actively lobbying for the job.

Zacharia was on a family outing at a pumpkin patch with one of her children when President Trump unexpectedly called her about the press secretary role. She quickly flew out from California to Washington the next day and met with the president about the position on Friday, before formally accepting the job later that same day.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/16/white-house-press-secretary-katie-zacharia-lawyer/

Guilfoyle's departure from the administration comes after reports emerged that she sought a $100,000 loan from a Trump supporter to cover personal expenses on her credit card. Furthermore, it is alleged that she accepted luxury trips and hotel stays from wealthy Greek businessmen with ties to the country's elite.

The allegations against Guilfoyle are serious, but she has denied any wrongdoing, stating her intention to defend her reputation in the face of these claims. The White House has not released any further details on the circumstances surrounding Guilfoyle's departure or the basis for Trump's decision to ask for her resignation.

Trump's new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, confirmed the news at a briefing on Tuesday, saying that the administration had requested Guilfoyle's resignation.

Guilfoyle has pushed back against allegations of financial impropriety and questionable relationships with wealthy individuals.

She released a statement on X rejecting the claims as false and vowing to defend her reputation and integrity vigorously.

In her statement, Guilfoile highlighted her accomplishments in promoting US energy exports and strengthening security ties with Greece during her tenure as ambassador.

Guilfoyle's move to reject the allegations comes amid increasing scrutiny of her financial dealings following reports by The Wall Street Journal.

Guilfoyle allegedly instructed Deters to complete a financial transaction through a wire transfer in order to avoid leaving a paper trail.

In a message sent to Deters, Guilfoyle reportedly requested that he make a payment to her credit card company, accompanied by explicit instructions on how to do so. The message was described as being urgent, with Guilfoyle writing "Honey please I need you to get this done for me today".

Deters ultimately refused to carry out the transaction, citing personal reasons rather than any concerns about the legitimacy of the request.

The Journal also reported that Guilfoile had boasted about luxury trips and hotel stays funded by wealthy Greek businessmen, based on hundreds of messages, emails and other records.

US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle's luxurious lifestyle has been under scrutiny after allegations emerged that she accepted improper gifts from wealthy Greek businessmen.

The Journal reported that Guilfoile spent Christmas at the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Gstaad with shipping magnate Nikolas Tsakos, who paid for her stay at a luxury hotel in Paris on another trip. This is not an isolated incident, as records show hundreds of messages and emails detailing lavish trips and stays funded by these businessmen.

The State Department's inspector general has launched an investigation into whether Guilfoyle received any improper gifts. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Europe last week, including a stop in Athens, where he declined to comment on the allegations against Guilfoile.

France 24 English: https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261014-trump-asks-us-ambassador-to-greece-kimberly-guilfoyle-to-resign-over-allegations

The brief Q&A session saw Zacharia call on just three reporters from conservative outlets, including Breitbart, Fox News, and the Daily Mail. She devoted most of her time to reading prepared remarks rather than engaging directly with journalists. This approach was notable given the typical practice in White House press briefings.

Zacharia used her opening remarks to highlight President Trump's policies and present herself as a key messenger for his administration. As she spoke, she framed her role as a means to "amplify" the president's message, echoing a phrase often used by conservative commentators. She emphasized that her goal is to support the president in communicating his vision.

The brevity of Zacharia's first press briefing was striking, especially given the significance of this moment for her and the administration. With midterm elections just weeks away, President Trump is increasingly focused on rallying his base through a series of campaign trips. As the new White House spokesperson, Zacharia will play a crucial role in promoting the president's agenda.

The White House has announced that President Trump will continue his aggressive campaign schedule in the run-up to the midterm elections, with upcoming stops planned for Kentucky, Georgia, and Florida.

Despite this momentum, however, voters are increasingly dissatisfied with the president's performance, according to recent polling data. The latest numbers show a significant drop-off in approval ratings, with 41% of registered voters now disapproving of the president's handling of key issues.

This trend is particularly concerning for the administration, given that voters have also expressed strong disapproval of the president's economic policies, which are seen as a major contributor to rising fuel prices and inflation.

The new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, has been adjusting to her role and navigating the challenges of communicating with a changing media landscape.

In recent days, it's become clear that the president has been opting for smaller venues where his messages can be delivered without the scrutiny of a packed briefing room. This shift in strategy is likely driven by concerns about how his words will be received by the public and the press corps.

Zacharia addressed these changes during her first briefing, expressing her views on expanding the media seat to include non-traditional outlets, a decision made by her predecessor Karoline Leavitt before she left the administration.

Katie Zacharia's first briefing as White House press secretary was marked by a shift in approach from her predecessors. She kept the briefing brief and focused on expanding the media seat to include non-traditional outlets, a decision made by her predecessor before she left.

Zacharia had previously served as a senior communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group, giving her a unique perspective on the president's communication style. During her visit to the White House on Friday, Trump showed her the ballroom site where he plans to hold future events, fueling speculation about his vision for America's greatness.

NBC News Politics: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trumps-new-white-house-press-secretary-katie-zacharia-first-briefing-rcna602948

In a statement on social media, Guilfoyle expressed her gratitude for serving as ambassador, calling it an "honor of a lifetime. This came shortly after the new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, announced that Guilfoyle's resignation had been requested by the administration. Zacharia made the announcement during her first briefing at the White House.

The reason behind Guilfoyle's departure is linked to an ongoing investigation into her conduct as ambassador. The State Department's inspector general's office has been probing allegations of misconduct, including claims that she boasted about her connections to wealthy Greek businesspeople who allegedly funded luxury trips for her. These allegations were first reported by a major news outlet.

President Trump was asked about Guilfoyle's resignation during a recent press briefing and stated that he had not spoken with her since the reports emerged. He did, however, acknowledge that she had traveled to Greece as ambassador.

A Trump donor named Eric Deters has come forward accusing Kimberly Guilfoyle of seeking to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill in exchange for access to senior administration officials before her 2025 Senate confirmation hearing.

According to Deters, Guilfoyle made it clear that she was desperate to settle the debt and told him that he could ask for anything else in return, implying a quid pro quo arrangement. He provided an audio recording of their conversation, which NBC News has not independently verified. In the recording, Guilfoyle allegedly instructed Deters to wire the money directly to American Express so that it wouldn't be traceable.

Deters claims that he did not end up paying Guilfoyle's debt, but a text message appears to show her sending instructions on how to make the payment. Attorneys for Guilfoyle have responded by saying that Deters actually owed her the money for speaking engagements, which he denies.

A State Department investigation into Guilfoyle's conduct is underway, and attorneys for her have responded to allegations of misconduct.

The probe has been referred back to the State Department by Jeanine Pirro, a D.C. attorney who spoke with reporters about the matter. According to Pirro, there will likely be further developments from the inspector general investigation before any conclusions are drawn.

Senior White House aides were reportedly concerned about what might come out in the investigation, which could potentially embarrass the president and his administration, a source familiar with the matter said.

The White House is considering whether to take disciplinary action against U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle amidst misconduct allegations. This decision comes after Guilfoyle's defense by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week.

Vice President Vance emphasized the importance of waiting for factual evidence before making any conclusions, stating Let's actually see what the facts are." Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio took issue with a reporter questioning him about the allegations while in Athens, saying that such matters should not be discussed publicly.

NBC News Politics: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-kimberly-guilfoyle-resign-ambassador-greece-rcna603034