Washington DC [US], October 17 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has said he advised Katie Zacharia to reconsider serving as White House press secretary amid intense media scrutiny, as she transitions out of the position after just five days on the job.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a rally in Georgia on Friday (local time), Trump said the press had treated Zacharia harshly and suggested that she reconsider continuing in the role.

"They've been so nasty to her,' referring to the press. "I said to her, 'Honestly, if I were you, I'd reconsider. You think about it. But I would reconsider. You got a beautiful husband and family.' I met the family yesterday. Beautiful kids. It's like from a picture postcard. I said, 'You should reconsider. Because you don't want to go through this.'"

Trump denied firing Zacharia, saying he wanted her to have a good life and that the decision regarding her future remained up to her.

"No, no. I want her to have a good life... she's been brutalised by the media," Trump said.

"I said, 'when I get back, we're going to talk,' because I don't think that Katie should be made to suffer like she's suffering at the hands of the press," he said, adding, "So I will talk to her as soon as I get back."

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he had encouraged Zacharia to reconsider staying in the position, telling her, "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"I think you're better off being happy," Trump said, questioning whether the position was one that could make someone happy. "There's nothing easy about this job," he added.

A senior White House official told Fox News that Zacharia was "transitioning out" of her role. Trump said he was in "no rush" to appoint her successor and had not prepared a shortlist, despite receiving calls from people interested in the position.

"Everybody who takes it becomes a star," Trump told Fox News.