Only 37 people in United States history have served as White House press secretary.
Posted by Real Time with Bill Maher, Checked
- Sources
- 2 support3 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 70%
Real Time with Bill MaherOct 24, 2026
NPR reports that 37 people have held the White House press secretary role since George Akerson in 1929, matching the claim's figure. Pew's 2014 count of Josh Earnest as the 30th press secretary is consistent with that total, and the claim's wording matches the passage's meaning.
What was said
… Look, it's a tough job. It's a very tough job. Oh, it is. People say it's one of the hardest jobs in Washington, and when you step to that podium, I give anyone who steps up to that podium credit, because only 37 people in United States history have been the White House press secretary. That pressure in that room is enormous. The press are vicious, and, you know, I give her credit for standing up there, and as the president said, it wasn't a good fit, and that's okay. I wish her well, and we're on to the next, and he has a lot of options. …
Real Time with Bill Maher · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. NPR (October 18, 2026) states that since George Akerson was appointed in 1929, 37 people have held the White House press secretary role.[1]
Supports. Pew Research (2014) reports Josh Earnest as the 30th presidential press secretary since the post was created, which is consistent with a total of 37 after the subsequent appointments.[2]
Context. Other sources that repeat the figure of 37 (Leavitt's remarks, the Sacbee and Piers Morgan/Ground News pieces) echo the claim and are not independent corroboration.[3][4][5]
Sources
5 sources: 1 tier 2, 4 not rated
- 1What does a White House press secretary do? - NPRnpr.org · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 27 facts about White House press secretaries - Pew Research Centerpewresearch.org · not rated · cited for: supports
- 3Karoline Leavitt Defends Katie Zacharia After She Gets Fired From Press Secretary Role: 'Very Tough Job' - AOLaol.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 4Karoline Leavitt Has a Message for Katie Zacharia After White House Firingsacbee.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 5“You Sound Like a ROBOT!” Piers Morgan Grills Katie Zacharia On White House Exitground.news · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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