Trump picks conservative commentator Katie Zacharia as next White House press secretary
President Donald Trump on Friday announced Katie Zacharia will serve as the next White House press secretary.
"It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia. Katie currently serves as Senior Communications Advisor to Truth Social (Trump Media & Technology Group), where she has been outstanding!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The move elevates the conservative commentator who briefly worked at the Department of Homeland Security to one of the administration's most visible roles less than four weeks from the midterm elections. The news was first reported by the New York Times.
Zacharia will replace Karoline Leavitt, who left the White House in August, shortly after the birth of her second child.
Leavitt had served as press secretary since Trump returned to office in January 2025 and was the youngest person ever to hold the position.
The change comes amid a particularly rocky point in the White House's relationship with the press. President Donald Trump is in the midst of a legal battle with CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO, which he attempted to ban from the White House last month.
A federal judge lifted the ban last month, issuing a two-week restraining order, which he extended through Tuesday, that enabled the three organizations to regain access to the West Wing. But the judge now appears to be leaning toward a more durable injunction that would maintain the outlets' access during what could be months of litigation.
Zacharia took over briefly DHS' top surrogate after the departure of Tricia McLaughlin. But she left in March, around the time when Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin took the reins of DHS.
"She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning," the president added in his post. "She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA! I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration."
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