Slate Money Plus Slate Money Plus

Bonus: Not a Girl, Not Yet a Lawyer

Oct 17, 2026 · 7m

Summary

This episode of Slate Money Plus examines the controversy surrounding Katie Zachariah, who was fired as White House Press Secretary after just five days. The hosts debate whether her claim to be a "lawyer" is valid, noting she failed the bar exam and did not practice law in China. They explore the broader implications of professional credentials, comparing her situation to other figures like Anthony Scaramucci and Kim Kardashian, and discuss when misrepresenting qualifications becomes an ethical issue.

Topics discussed

Intro: Katie Zachariah fired, breaking Scaramucci record Transition to the episode's main topic Do you need a PhD to call yourself an economist? Legal definitions: Lawyer vs. law degree holder Katie Zachariah's background and press conference Bar exam failure and California legal rules Does legal credential matter for press secretary role? Zachariah's past: Beachbody marketing and Newsmax When credentials matter: Misrepresentation of ability Famous bar exam failures: Scaramucci, JFK Jr., Kardashian International legal credentials and clarity of titles Conclusion: China rules and final thoughts Outro
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