Katie Zacharia Fired After NRED AI Mining Claim Scrutiny — SkimNews
Get the Tech newsletter
Daily tech — startups, AI labs, chips, the launches that shape the next decade. Free.
- Katie Zacharia was fired five days after becoming White House press secretary, following questions about her professional background and unverified claims of being a licensed attorney.
- NovaRed Mining issued a June 24 press release announcing Zacharia would join its advisory board to guide AI initiatives, though she later called the announcement 'fake' and said it was issued without her consent.
- Sam Amsterdam, a media strategist and friend of Zacharia, stated the press release was unauthorized and that while discussions occurred, she never formally joined the company’s board.
- Valentin Saitarli, NRED’s incoming CEO, confirmed Zacharia was in talks but her role 'never materialized,' comparing it to signing up for a gym but never attending, and said the website listing her would be updated.
- Kristi Noem joined NovaRed’s advisory board around the same time, sparking backlash in Canada due to her past remarks calling it the '51st state,' and prompting scrutiny of the company’s shift from mining to AI-driven exploration.
- Phil Ehr, a retired Navy commander and former advisory board member, resigned after Noem’s appointment, citing her controversial record and the company’s lack of technical mining expertise among its leadership.
Why it matters: Zacharia’s rapid ouster and the disputed NRED affiliation expose vulnerabilities in vetting high-level appointees, while NRED’s pivot to AI and MAGA-aligned figures over mining experts signals a strategic rebrand that may prioritize political connections over technical credibility, risking investor and public trust.
Ask SkimNews
