Katie Zacharia, who was appointed as White House Press Secretary less than a week ago, has ignited controversy after claiming that China lacks “proper toilets” during an interview broadcast on Thursday.
The 41-year-old press secretary, who previously resided in China, made the remarks while speaking with right-wing influencer Jack Posobiec. She recalled the political atmosphere of 2016, describing how many believed China would soon surpass the United States on the global stage.
Controversial Comments Draw Attention
“We were all being told Hillary (Clinton) was going to win. The golden days or the glory days of America were over. That China was on the horizon,” Zacharia told Posobiec during the interview.
“I remember this very distinctly, having just come from China, thinking, ‘How is China the next country on the horizon? They don’t even have proper toilets,'” she added.
Chinese authorities have not issued an immediate response to the remarks. The comments come amid heightened diplomatic sensitivity, as President Donald Trump has frequently touted his “great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During a Washington summit in September, the two leaders discussed topics including artificial intelligence, trade, and the stalled war in Iran, while confirming plans for additional meetings later this year.
Legal Credentials Questioned
Zacharia is already facing scrutiny over her legal background after providing an inconclusive answer regarding where she passed the bar exam, a prerequisite for practicing law in the United States.
The press secretary has described herself as a lawyer and listed herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative non-profit organization. She also stated that she had worked at a law firm in Beijing.
When questioned about her legal credentials on Thursday, Zacharia explained that she had registered to take the bar exam but was subsequently “distracted and overwhelmed” by plans to relocate to China with her husband. She added that she did not retake the bar exam upon returning to the United States due to the birth of her first child.
Briefing Style Raises Eyebrows
Zacharia held her first White House press briefing on Tuesday, where she answered questions from only three journalists. She succeeded Karoline Leavitt, a loyal Trump supporter and often combative spokesperson who stepped down in August to care for her young children.
The controversy surrounding Zacharia’s remarks adds to a series of recent developments involving the White House and media relations, including the return of several major news organizations to White House briefings following a court order that lifted a previous ban.
