Katie Zacharia says China lacked ‘proper toilets’ in interview
The new White House press secretary recalled questioning predictions of China’s rise after returning from the country in 2016.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said in an interview aired on October 15 that China lacked ‘proper toilets.’ Recalling her view after returning from China in 2016, she questioned predictions that the country would overtake the United States. The remark drew attention to the new spokesperson’s views as President Donald Trump has described his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as ‘great.’
Speaking to conservative commentator Jack Posobiec, Zacharia recalled hearing in 2016 that China was ‘on the horizon.’ ‘How is China the next country on the horizon? They don't even have proper toilets,’ she said, according to AFP. She was describing her impression at the time, rather than presenting a measured account of conditions across China.
Zacharia’s time in China and new White House role
Zacharia had lived in China with her husband and worked at the Beijing law firm Zhong Lun, Bloomberg reported. Her comments came days after she became Trump’s press secretary. At her first White House briefing, she answered questions from three journalists, according to Bloomberg.
She succeeded Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down in August to care for her young children, AFP reported. Zacharia has also faced questions about her legal qualifications. An earlier statement that she had passed a bar exam when she moved to China prompted scrutiny; she gave a different account in the October 15 interview.
What Zacharia said about the California bar exam
Zacharia said she took the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine University’s law school in 2011 but did not pass, the South China Morning Post reported. She said she expected not to need a bar qualification in China, where she was moving with her husband for his job. Her account followed her earlier statement about passing an exam when she moved there.
Zacharia also said, ‘There’s no Chinese bar,’ according to the South China Morning Post. Bloomberg reported that White House communications director Steven Cheung defended her as ‘uniquely qualified and whip smart.’ AFP reported no immediate comment from Chinese authorities on her remarks about toilets.
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Sources and context
- Trump's new press secretary says China lacked 'proper' toiletsAFP, republished by CNA
- Trump’s new press secretary Katie Zacharia says China lacked ‘proper toilets’Bloomberg, republished by The Straits Times
- Trump’s press secretary never passed bar exam, wrongly claims China has noneSouth China Morning Post
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.