WASHINGTON (TNND) — Following her departure as White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia praised President Donald Trump in a social media post on Friday night.

Her message came after a turbulent five-day tenure.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump is followed by White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia (L) as he departs on the South Lawn of the White House on October 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is traveling to Alaska to headline a rally for incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), who will be facing off against Alaska Democratic Senate candidate, former Rep. Mary Peltola in the midterm elections. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump told reporters on Friday that he had encouraged Zacharia to reconsider whether the post was right for her after harsh treatment by the news media.

The president said Zacharia had been "treated very badly" and recounted telling her that the attention surrounding the job might not ease. He said she responded that the work was more difficult than she had expected.

Zacharia was appointed last week -- and her first briefing drew scrutiny. Her rocky tenure was defined by questions about her professional background and lack of polish in fielding questions from journalists.

She had come under immediate scrutiny when she appeared uncomfortable during her inaugural briefing on Tuesday, delivering halting remarks touting the president and his accomplishments. Her 14-minute briefing was followed by criticism that the conservative commentator had long called herself a lawyer when she had not passed a bar exam, nor was otherwise credentialed to practice.

Trump said Zacharia would move into a different role, though the White House had not announced a successor or detailed her assignment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.