Megyn Kelly Says New Press Secretary Katie Zacharia Needs to ‘Dial’ Back Her Look After Shaky First Outing

For Megyn Kelly, looks matter.

The 55-year-old political commentator weighed in on President Donald Trump‘s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, following her first press briefing on Tuesday, October 13. Karoline Leavitt, who recently gave birth to her second child, resigned from her position in August.

“Katie Zacharia had her first outing today,” Kelly said on Tuesday’s episode of The Megyn Kelly Show. “It didn’t go particularly well.”

While Kelly said it “wasn’t a disaster,” the podcast host pointed out numerous things that she didn’t find “impressive.”

For starters, Kelly went in on the 42-year-old’s wardrobe and appearance.

“She’s got very heavy makeup on,” Kelly began. “She’s got the long curls. She’s got some chest showing with the tie. I think she needs to dial it back.”

Kelly said that, in order to be taken seriously, Zacharia needs to “present as a serious person.”

“Then I would say, once she’s earned the respect of the public and the press corps, she can sauce it up if she wants,” Kelly added. “You should be the consummate professional in your presentation, which means dialing back the makeup, dialing back the over-the-top curls and the hair, and maybe covering up — covering up a little bit more underneath that suit jacket. You’re not there to turn anybody on.”

“Obviously, I have no problem with glam makeup or hair,” Kelly noted. “But I do think you have to earn it, and she hasn’t yet, so dial it back. Twenty percent less makeup, the sparkly eyeshadow, like just dial it back, and you’ll get there with the American people if you are smart and credible.”

During Tuesday’s briefing, Zacharia announced that Kimberly Guilfoyle has been asked to resign from her position as United States ambassador to Greece.

Many people pointed out that Zacharia seemed to be off to a shaky start at her new job, with an administration official telling the New York Post, “She seemed nervous, but who wouldn’t be?”

Despite Kelly’s notes on wardrobe, she urged the public to give Zacharia “some time” in the role before passing judgement.

“She was trying to speak off the cuff, and she wasn’t very good at it, but she’s going to get better,” Kelly noted. “And the only way to get better at speaking off the cuff is to do it, and stumble, and maybe sound a little silly the first few times you’ve tried it.”

“But if she is still at this job a year from now, she’s going to be way better at it,” Kelly added. “And there’s really no shortcutting that journey from A to Z. So I wish her well, and I actually am very open-minded to her improving.”