Megyn Kelly said President Trump’s new press secretary should “present as a serious person,” urging Katie Zacharia to tone down her on-camera look after her debut briefing.
Story Highlights
- Megyn Kelly advised Katie Zacharia to reduce glam styling and dress more conservatively on camera.
- Kelly tied her advice to first impressions and credibility for new public officials.
- Reports say Kelly called Zacharia’s first briefing “fine” but urged less makeup and a higher neckline.
- Coverage noted the lack of any stated White House dress standard for press briefings.
Kelly’s On-Air Advice Focused on First-Impression Credibility
Megyn Kelly reacted to Katie Zacharia’s first briefing by saying the look should be “dialed back.” Kelly said Zacharia wore heavy makeup, long curls, and a necktie with some chest showing, and argued that early briefings set public tone. Kelly said first impressions matter before a new spokesperson earns trust. Kelly said she supports glam in general, but urged less sparkle and a more restrained style for the briefing room setting.
Kelly framed the point as a professional norm, not a personal rule. She cited Roger Ailes’s guidance that people in serious roles should present as serious if they want to be taken seriously. She added that Zacharia’s briefing itself was “fine,” and that time and practice would build confidence. Kelly’s segment centered on how appearance can shape authority, especially when the audience does not yet know the official well.
What Kelly Said About Specific Styling Choices
Kelly suggested “20 percent less makeup,” less sparkly eyeshadow, and “covering up a little bit more.” She said the goal was not glamour removal but message control. She argued that the press podium is not a place to “sex it up,” because public attention should stay on policy answers. Reports quoted Kelly saying she has no issue with glam hair or makeup in general, but that the early briefings call for a steadier, simpler look.
Coverage reported that Kelly’s comments followed wider chatter about Zacharia’s debut performance. Some outlets said the outing felt cautious or shaky. Kelly, however, separated the basic performance from presentation, saying the look distracted from the message. The stories did not cite a government dress rule that would mandate a change, and did not include polling or data showing the look hurt credibility. The advice rested on professional judgment.
White House Framing and Media Response
The White House described Zacharia’s first briefing as commanding and purposeful in an official release, presenting a positive account of her start. Public Broadcasting Service noted Zacharia said her job was to amplify President Trump’s agenda and that her government role aligns with her past advocacy. Media outlets highlighted Kelly’s advice because it touched both style and standards in a high-visibility role in President Trump’s administration.
Reports emphasized that no formal press-office dress code was cited to support Kelly’s suggestions. The pieces also showed how fast style critiques can eclipse policy talk. Kelly’s segment sparked more coverage about appearance than substance, even as she said the briefing was “fine” and poised to improve with practice. That tension—message versus image—often defines early days for new communicators, and it can shape how the public rates the work that follows.
Why This Matters for Conservatives
Conservative readers want clear answers from the podium and respect for the office. Kelly’s point underscores a practical truth: presentation helps the message land. A serious setting calls for a serious look, so policy does not get lost in side talk. That does not mean giving in to media double standards. It means controlling the frame, keeping focus on President Trump’s agenda, and denying hostile outlets any easy distraction from border security, energy policy, and the economy.
Limits and Next Steps
Published reports do not show a written dress rule for White House press secretaries, and they do not offer data that links Zacharia’s styling to audience trust. Kelly’s view stands as one commentator’s professional advice based on experience and norms. The larger test will be Zacharia’s command of facts, steady delivery, and consistency. If those stay strong, appearance chatter will fade, and the briefing room will center on policy results under President Trump.
Sources:
mediaite.com, newrepublic.com, bbc.com
