The key facts

  • Zakharia admitted she never passed the bar exam, although she had previously called herself a lawyer
  • Three interviews, including an appearance on Fox and Friends, failed to end the scandal
  • Trump called her performance 'very good'; the date of the next briefing has not been announced

Scandal in the First Week on the Job

The future of new White House press secretary Karoline Zakharia looks uncertain after three interviews on friendly outlets failed to resolve the controversy surrounding her claims that she is a lawyer. According to AFP, the problems were compounded by an unsuccessful debut at the briefing podium. The crisis coincided with warnings of a possible heavy defeat for the Republican Party in the midterm congressional elections on November 3 and became yet another distraction for 80-year-old President Donald Trump, who has been traveling the country holding rallies in support of his candidates.

Admission About the Failed Exam

The 41-year-old Zakharia described herself as a lawyer on television broadcasts and social media, and listed herself as general counsel of a California conservative nonprofit organization. On Thursday, she admitted that she had not passed the bar exam — a mandatory requirement for practicing law in the United States. She is a 2011 graduate of the Pepperdine University School of Law in California. In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, she confirmed that she had not retaken the exam: 'I had four children in six years. I never intended to practice law.'

Justifications and Explanations

In an interview with the pro-Republican channel Real America's Voice, Zakharia said she had registered for the exam but was 'distracted and overwhelmed' by plans to move with her husband to China, where she worked at a Beijing law firm. According to her, 'many people in this field' assured her that with her degree and experience in business law she could 'call herself a lawyer,' and that she could 'provide legal analysis, not legal advice.' 'I was very careful in how I did that,' she stated. On Friday on Fox and Friends, she defended herself: 'I was hired as White House press secretary, not White House counsel.' When the host asked her directly whether she still had the president's trust, Zakharia dodged the question, noting that she had accompanied Trump at rallies and hopes to 'earn the trust of everyone around.'

Debut and Trump's Reaction

Zakharia's debut briefing on Tuesday lasted about 15 minutes: most of it was taken up by a slow reading out, in her words, of Trump's achievements, after which she answered questions from only three journalists out of a full room. She did not announce the date of the next briefing, saying that this is decided by the White House communications office and Trump himself, whom she called 'the hardest-working, most incredible person.' Trump, known for his interest in his staff's television appearances, later told reporters that Zakharia, who previously worked as a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax, is 'very good.'

Statement About China and Beijing's Response

On Thursday, Zakharia sparked a new wave of criticism by speaking negatively about China, whose leader Xi Jinping was recently Trump's guest in Washington on a lavish visit. In an interview with right-wing influencer Jack Posobiec, she recalled that in 2016 it was believed China would soon overtake the United States: 'I remember it very clearly, having just come from China, I thought: how is China the next country on the horizon? They don't even have normal toilets.' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded on Friday that Zakharia should 'visit China more often.'

Context of the Change in the Post

Zakharia replaced Karoline Leavitt — a devoted Trump supporter and often combative press secretary who left the post in August. According to AFP, Zakharia has not yet announced when she will hold her next briefing, and her position in the new role remains in question.