Korean outlets report White House spokesperson's exit after credentials controversy
In short
Yonhap and Chosun Ilbo reported that the new White House spokesperson left her post on October 16 amid controversy over her legal credentials. Newsis reported that Donald Trump said his decision was not final, while also citing US media reports of her dismissal.
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South Korean outlets reported that the newly appointed White House spokesperson, Keiti Jakaria (케이티 자카리아), left her post on October 16, US local time, amid controversy over her legal credentials. Yonhap reported her dismissal, while Chosun Ilbo said she stepped down. Newsis reported that President Donald Trump had signalled her possible removal but said he had not yet made a final decision. It also cited the New York Times and CNN as already reporting that she had been dismissed. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Trump spoke to reporters as he left the White House for a campaign event in Georgia on October 16. He said he had encouraged the spokesperson to reconsider the position and wanted her to be happy, according to Newsis and Chosun Ilbo. Newsis reported that he said she could work for him in another form, perhaps in a more pleasant role, and that he would make his final decision after the weekend's campaign events. [ 2 , 4 ]
Trump announced the appointment on October 9, and she began work on October 12, the two outlets reported. Her first briefing took place on October 13. Chosun Ilbo said she took questions from three conservative-leaning outlets and left after about ten minutes. Newsis said she had repeatedly described herself as a lawyer, but that it emerged she had never passed a bar examination anywhere in the United States. Chosun Ilbo reported that she failed the California bar examination after graduating from Pepperdine law school in 2011. [ 2 , 4 ]
Asked whether he was angry about her concealment of the failed bar examination, Trump said he had not hired her as a lawyer, according to Chosun Ilbo. The outlet also quoted him as saying the decision was difficult because she had been loyal to him. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The reports concern a spokesperson who began work on October 12 after her appointment was announced on October 9. They differ on whether Trump had already made a final decision about her position.
Key facts
- Yonhap reported that the White House spokesperson was dismissed on October 16. [ 3 ]
- Trump said he had encouraged her to reconsider the job. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Her appointment was announced on October 9 and she began work on October 12. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Newsis said Trump would make a final decision after his weekend campaign events. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the decision on her departure was final. Yonhap and Chosun Ilbo reported her departure, while Newsis reported Trump's statement that no final decision had been made, alongside US media reports of her dismissal.
- The precise length of her tenure. Yonhap describes four days; Chosun Ilbo's headline says four days but its article says five, and Newsis cites US media accounts saying five days.