@harukamori.jp: Katie Zacharia’s journey to the White House press secretary’s office lasted just five days. Now, new reports are raising questions about who helped her land the high-profile job in the first place. According to reports cited by The Daily Beast and Axios, Natalie Harp, DJ.Trump’s personal assistant, reportedly encouraged him to hire Zacharia. The appointment came after his preferred candidate, Maria Bartiromo, declined the position. Zacharia traveled from California to Washington, D.C., on October 8, 2026, to meet with the president. By the next day, she had reportedly been offered the job almost immediately. But the appointment soon faced scrutiny. DJ.Trump had introduced Zacharia as an attorney, but reports later revealed that she had graduated from Pepperdine University’s law school without passing the bar exam. Zacharia confirmed the detail during an appearance on Fox News, explaining that she had not retaken the test. Then came her first White House press briefing on October 13. She took just three questions, all from conservative media outlets, and left the podium in less than 15 minutes. Her performance drew criticism, adding to the growing attention surrounding her appointment. By October 16, Zacharia was out of the role. DJ.Trump publicly suggested that the pressure had been difficult for her, while reports said she learned of her dismissal during an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Harp’s reported involvement has now raised another question about how much influence close advisers have over White House hiring decisions. However, there is no indication that Harp alone made the decision or caused Zacharia’s departure. Sometimes, the biggest questions begin only after a decision has already been made. Do you think White House hiring decisions should face greater scrutiny? \#DonaldTrump #WhiteHouse #KatieZacharia #NatalieHarp #usnews

Haruka Mori (森 春香)

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Monday 19 October 2026 23:18:00 GMT