Trump wanted popular Fox host at White House podium — but she reportedly said no

by Daily BS Wire

THE DAILY BS: HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE?

SPARE ME THE BS (I’ve got things to do).

Trump reportedly wanted former Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo as White House press secretary, but she declined.
The job went to Katie Zacharia, who departed after barely a week and a rocky 14-minute press briefing.
Scott Jennings was also considered but never received an offer. Trump says he’s in no rush to choose another replacement.

LAY IT ON ME (I’ve got time).

President Donald Trump apparently had a familiar television face in mind for his next White House press secretary.

And it wasn’t Katie Zacharia.

According to Axios, Trump originally wanted former Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo behind the briefing-room podium.

There was just one problem.

She reportedly didn’t want the job.

Two administration sources told Axios that Bartiromo signaled she would not accept the position, leaving Trump to consider other candidates.

Conservative commentator Scott Jennings was reportedly in contention but was never formally offered the job.

Ultimately, Trump selected Zacharia, a longtime supporter and former adviser to Trump Media.

Her White House career lasted barely long enough to locate the coffee machine.

Zacharia’s first briefing lasted just 14 minutes and included only three questions. Controversy over her description of herself as an attorney, despite not being licensed to practice law, added to the scrutiny.

By Friday, Trump was publicly suggesting that she reconsider whether she wanted the position.

“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump said he told her.

She was soon transitioning out of the job, although Zacharia disputed suggestions that she had been fired.

On Saturday, she posted a gracious farewell praising the president.

“President Trump is a kind, wonderful, gracious, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and hardworking man,” she wrote.

“It was an honor to work for him.”

As for Bartiromo, the report does not explain why she declined, and she has not publicly confirmed the account.

Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy reported that Trump was in no hurry to name another press secretary and had no immediate shortlist.

After watching a week that produced more press secretary news than press briefings, perhaps the president figures the next applicant deserves a little more consideration.

And if the reports are accurate, Maria Bartiromo may be looking at the past seven days and feeling pretty comfortable with her decision.