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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
David Smith in Washington

Enter the Zachbot: Trump’s new press secretary malfunctions on podium debut

Donald Trump Jr. Katie Zacharia Anthony Scaramucci Kimberly Guilfoyle Karoline Leavitt Sean Spicer Daily Mail Fox News White House
Katie Zacharia smiles while speaking at a White House press briefing podium
Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary. Photograph: Ron Sachs-CNP/Shutterstock

Well, that was weird. Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary, made her debut on the podium on Tuesday with all the warmth, wisdom and political dexterity of an AI avatar.

Zacharia was all stilted delivery, nervous tics and lack of eye contact. With an eerie lack of emotion, she served up pro-Trump talking points, took only three questions and vanished after 14 minutes. It was like the West Wing had turned into uncanny valley.

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