China bar exam row sinks Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia after just 5 days
Katie Zacharia was “let go” as White House press secretary on Friday, a White House official said, five days into a tenure dominated by questions over her claimed legal career in China, where she said she had passed a bar exam. Her exit came on the same day Beijing invited her to visit China more often, responding to her remark that the country “doesn’t even have proper toilets”. US President…
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia abruptly resigned on Friday, just five days after her appointment, amid controversy surrounding her claimed legal career in China. Zacharia, who touted herself as an attorney during her unveiling, faced scrutiny after remarking that China "doesn't even have proper toilets". In response, Beijing extended an invitation for her visits to the country more frequently.
Trump, who had previously defended her, stated he wanted her to have a good life but acknowledged she was being "brutalised by the media". Zacharia, a former associate at a prominent Beijing law firm, had previously misled reporters about her bar exam results, stating she had passed the exam in China, which is not possible. Foreigners may work at Chinese law firms, but cannot qualify as lawyers in the country.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
