Trump Names Katie Zacharia as New White House Press Secretary

Breaking

President Donald Trump on Friday named Katie Zacharia, a conservative attorney and television commentator, as the next White House press secretary, filling the post Karoline Leavitt left at the end of August. Trump announced the pick on Truth Social on Oct. 9, writing, “It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia.” A White House official confirmed the move to the Washington Examiner, saying, “She has been offered the position.”

Zacharia currently serves as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, the company that runs Truth Social. Trump called her work there “outstanding” and said he is confident she “will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary.” Her start date has not yet been announced. The appointment comes less than a month before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, putting a new face at the podium during the most intense stretch of the political calendar.

Details & Background

Zacharia, 41, is a California native who earned her undergraduate and law degrees at Pepperdine University. Before joining the administration, she was a frequent commentator on Fox News and Newsmax and served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative advocacy group founded by longtime Trump ally Richard Grenell. She also worked on Trump’s 2024 campaign efforts in key swing states, and Trump described her in his announcement as “a devoted fan and member of MAGA!”

Her time in government has been short. In February, Zacharia joined the Department of Homeland Security as spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs, then announced her departure on March 31 after about six weeks. The Daily Beast reported that the exit was tied to her connections to Corey Lewandowski, the special government employee who worked closely with then-Secretary Kristi Noem. Zacharia denied that account, telling Just the News that frequent travel between California and Washington had strained her family. The Washington Examiner reported that her selection as press secretary caught some current and former DHS officials who worked with her off guard. Leavitt, who became the youngest press secretary in history when she took the job at 27 in January 2025, stepped down at the end of August to focus on her two young children.

Reactions

Zacharia responded on Truth Social, calling the appointment “the honor of a lifetime.” In remarks reported by Axios, she said she looks forward to the job: “I look forward to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out. Following the fabulous Karoline Leavitt is a high standard, and one worth meeting.” She also praised the president’s record, writing that Trump “has shown America that we can be great again.”

Trump closed his own announcement with a salute to his outgoing spokeswoman: “Katie is replacing the fabulous Karoline Leavitt, who did a fantastic job as Press Secretary. Good luck Katie!” When Zacharia first joined DHS in February, then-spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin publicly called her “a dynamic and effective voice in media.” Beyond those statements, public reaction from Capitol Hill and other administration officials had been limited as of Saturday morning.

Why This Matters to You

The White House press secretary is the administration’s daily voice to the country. Zacharia will step to the podium as Americans weigh immigration enforcement, diesel and gas prices, the war with Iran, and a midterm election that will decide control of Congress. She also inherits an ongoing fight over press access: Politico, MS Now and CNN have active lawsuits against the administration over Trump’s move to bar them from White House grounds, and how she handles the briefing room will be watched closely from the first day.

For voters, the press secretary is often the clearest window into what the president intends to do and why. A sharp, disciplined communicator can cut through hostile coverage and put the administration’s record directly in front of the public. With Election Day weeks away, the person behind that podium will help shape how millions of Americans understand the stakes of November, and Trump is betting that a proven loyalist from his own media company is the right voice for the final stretch.