MİLLİYET.COM.TR / The last moments of US President Donald Trump's new White House Spokesperson, Katie Zacharia, were the subject of a special report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) from the US press.
According to the newspaper, Zacharia, sitting in his new office in the West Wing shortly before 1 p.m. local time on Friday, was explaining his plans for his position in an interview with the newspaper. In the office behind her desk was a white orchid, a curling iron, and a pair of high-heeled shoes placed next to her cosmetic bag.
HE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND HE DISAPPEARED
Just then, Jason Miller, one of Trump's senior advisors, knocked on the door. “JD wanted to talk to us quickly,” Miller said, referring to Vice President JD Vance. Zacharia abruptly left the room but neither returned to the interview nor to his task.
Trump was walking towards the new helipad when Zacharia left the room. Describing the conversation he had with his new spokesman earlier in the day, the US President told reporters that he asked Zacharia whether this task was really suitable for him.
"I said to her, 'Katie, is this really for you? Because, honestly, you don't need it,'" Trump said. Regarding Zacharia's acceptance of the position, he said, "To be honest, if I were you, I would reconsider."
WSJ wrote that this development ended Zacharia's turbulent five days as White House spokesman.
'HE DID NOT KNOW'
Zacharia thought he had just started his new job when he arrived at the White House on Friday morning. He had completed the necessary employment procedures and received his security card. He attended the communications team meeting held in the Roosevelt Room the same morning. Because it was late, all the seats were filled; He stood at the back of the room. Addressing the team at the invitation of White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, Zacharia said that he had wanted to work for the President for a long time and was excited to meet his new colleagues. His speech was applauded, but some felt his days in office were numbered, according to those who attended the meeting.
Moreover, Zacharia said in an interview with WSJ shortly before leaving office that there would be no change in his team. "This is the important thing," the spokesperson said, adding, "There is no personnel change. I am trying to keep everyone together."
A White House official dismissed intense speculation about Zacharia's tenure, calling him capable. The official said Zacharia will continue to support Trump in another role that has not yet been announced.
THE FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE STARTED THE CRISIS
The discussions that started after his first press conference on Tuesday were effective in Zacharia's short term in office. Trump announced on his Truth Social account shortly before the meeting that he appointed the new spokesperson. Zacharia had less than 24 hours to prepare. Since he could only receive his file containing background information and speech notes on the morning of the meeting, he preferred to read the previously prepared text.
Zacharia, who was in front of journalists for less than 15 minutes, received criticism from different parts of the political spectrum due to the pauses in his speech. When asked where he passed the bar exam, his answer "When I moved to China" also became a hot topic. Zacharia later argued that he misunderstood the question.
However, the debate did not end there. In another WSJ report, it was claimed that he never passed the bar exam, although he had previously introduced himself as a lawyer.
The president also told aides that Zacharia was not talented, according to a person who spoke to the WSJ and heard Trump's assessment.
'I DID EVERYTHING I COULD'
Zacharia's statement to WSJ, which reached him by phone on the Friday evening he left office, were the last words of the five-day period.
"I did everything I could to hold a press conference with the limited time and information given to me," said Zacharia, adding, "My goal was to serve President Trump and the American people to the best of my ability."
