Trump's new press secretary Katie Zacharia did NOT pass the bar exam despite president calling her an attorney, Wall Street Journal finds
Laughter erupts in the briefing room as Katie Zacharia cuts short her debut White House press conference after accepting just three pre-selected questions in 14 minutes.
Katie Zacharia sat the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine law school in 2011 but reportedly never obtained a pass, directly undercutting Trump's characterisation of her as an attorney. Her debut press briefing only deepened the confusion: she informed reporters she had passed the bar 'when I moved to China,' then later claimed she 'practised international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials.' The White House has yet to produce evidence that she holds a bar licence in any US state or territory.
Zacharia's opening briefing lasted just 14 minutes: she referred to Trump as 'my husband,' took questions from only three friendly outlets and then left.
Senior Trump officials privately described the performance as 'terrible on so many different levels' and a 'dumpster fire,' with reports indicating she had fewer than 24 hours to get ready for it.
Zacharia has since told Newsweek she is 'grateful to serve' and will 'diligently and effectively amplify' Trump's agenda — and Trump publicly said he 'thought she was very good.'
