Bikini photographs of Katie Zacharia, who resigned as White House Press Secretary, have resurfaced after she allegedly deleted them from her Instagram account. The 42-year-old reportedly removed the swimsuit images from her profile just days after taking on the role in the Trump administration.
Photos allegedly removed after appointment
Shortly after Zacharia assumed her Washington, D.C. post, certain images appeared to vanish from her page. Speculation suggests the photos were taken down following her acceptance of the press secretary position.
The images have now re-emerged after President Donald Trump asked Zacharia to consider whether the role was right for her. Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, Trump was asked who might replace her should she leave, and said many people would want the job.
Trump defends Zacharia
Trump said: "I told Katie, in my opinion, she was treated very unfairly." He claimed Zacharia had been "brutalised by the media."
He added: "Katie's been treated very badly by the media. Very, very badly. Very unfairly, I think. And I just spoke to her about it. I said, Katie, is this for you?"
Trump continued: "Because, you know, she's been treated very rough. And she's a nice person. Very nice person. I've watched her for years on television. But I said, is this for you, Katie?"
He added: "You don't need this. You don't have to be treated. I would say the fake news, but just generally, the media has been very rough."
Resignation and statement
Trump's offer came after reports that Zacharia claimed to be a lawyer despite not passing the bar exam. She said she earned her law degree in China but later claimed she had misheard the question.
On Friday, October 16, just a week after her appointment, Zacharia resigned and issued a public statement praising Trump, according to the Irish Star. Shortly afterward, she posted a statement on social media.
She stated: "President Trump is a kind, wonderful, gracious, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and hardworking man. I wish more Americans appreciated him. No one will ever make America great the way he has and continues to."
Zacharia added: "It was an honor to work for him."
The message included a photograph of Zacharia with Trump in the Oval Office. It made no mention of her departure or the questions surrounding her legal credentials that preceded it.
Zacharia has not publicly addressed the absent images or confirmed whether their removal was connected to her press secretary appointment. She has previously spoken candidly about her fitness journey and what she deems suitable attire.
