Trump has chosen conservative commentator and lawyer Katie Zacharia as his next White House press secretary with a communications adviser from his own media organisation to fill the top-tier position.
Zacharia will be appointed as the replacement for Karoline Leavitt, who has resigned after her second child, in August 2026 as she had her second child. Trump announced the appointment on his Truth Social website on October 9 and called Zacharia a loyal supporter of the president.
The appointment comes after the White House press secretary position has been vacant for several weeks. Zacharia has spent years in government communications, conservative media commentary and political advocacy.
Her involvement in Trump’s political movement, media and her network is also indicative of her political background.
In announcing his decision, Trump praised Zacharia's communications work and expressed confidence that she would engage with journalists, the American public and his administration. Zacharia also acknowledged the appointment and said that to be appointed White House press secretary was an honor.
Who is Katie Zacharia?
Katie Zacharia is a U.S. attorney, political activist and conservative commentator working in government communications and the private sector. She is currently employed by Trump Media & Technology Group, which runs Truth Social (Trump’s social media platform).
Zacharia was a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group before her selection for the White House role. This position placed her in the communications network around the president and his media business.
Zacharia also appeared on television as a political commentator, most notably on Fox News and Newsmax. She has often given commentary about American politics and the Trump administration’s policies. She has also appeared on other news networks, and she has had the experience in making political arguments to a variety of audiences.
Her background combines legal education, political advocacy and media communications, all of which are relevant to a press secretary’s role in explaining the administration’s positions and responding to journalists’ questions.
Katie Zacharia's Education and Early Political Career.
Zacharia studied at Pepperdine University in California, where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. She also has kept in touch with the university, including through its Dean's Council, according to reports about her appointment.
Her involvement in politics started before her recent work with the Trump administration. She first got to Washington through an internship with the Republican National Committee during the George W. Bush administration in 2006. That was a launch point into Republican politics and political communications.
Zacharia later worked with Fix California, a conservative advocacy group that is affiliated with Trump ally Ric Grenell. Her work in conservative political circles built her profile as an advocate for Republican positions and as a media commentator.
These experiences gave her exposure to political messaging, public affairs, and conservative organisations’ communication strategies.
Her role at the Department Of Homeland Security
Zacharia earlier in 2026 worked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she served as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs under former Secretary Kristi Noem.
Her tenure in the department was brief (about six weeks), she said later. She returned to work in the private sector and became communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group.
The DHS role gave Zacharia direct experience communicating about the work of a federal department. Government spokespersons are responsible to explain official positions, respond to media inquiries and communicate departmental policies and activities.
That experience, along with her work in political media, forms part of her background to the White House press secretary position.
What does the White House Press Secretary do?
The White House press secretary has the role of the principal public spokesperson for the US president and administration. It is the job of communicating official decisions, communicating policy positions, interviewing journalists and responding to news of developments that are of interest to people.
The press secretary also plays an important role in White House briefings, where reporters question the administration about domestic policy, foreign affairs, government operations and presidential decisions.
The role can be particularly demanding during periods of political friction or big policy announcements. The person as such needs to communicate the administration’s position and defend the position from journalists representing different news organisations.
Zacharia’s experience as a commentator and government spokesperson may be relevant to these responsibilities. But her White House presence will be decided by her briefings, media questions and the administration’s communications priorities.
Why is Karoline Leavitt leaving the role?
Zacharia is replacing Karoline Leavitt, who quit the position in August 2026 after having her second child. Leavitt served as Trump's press secretary during his second term and became a prominent public representative of his administration.
Her departure left the position vacant for several weeks while Trump considered replacing her. But the president had consulted with people in his political and communications circles before he picked Zacharia, the media reported.
Trump praised Leavitt at the transition and said she would continue to be an important supporter and adviser in addition to the role of press secretary. But at a time when the White House was trying to come up with new policies and public messaging, her departure was a change in the communications team of the White House.
What lies ahead for Katie Zacharia?
Zacharia’s selection puts her at the center of the White House’s relationship with the press. She has been working at Trump Media & Technology Group, conservative television commentary and the Department of Homeland Security, so she’s got political and communications experience.
As press secretary, she will be expected to explain the administration's positions, answer reporters' questions and communicate presidential announcements to the public. Her press briefing and communication with journalists will surely be closely watched as she takes over Leavitt's role.
The appointment also underscores the priority Trump places on appointing trusted figures in key communications roles. Zacharia is already connected to his political movement and media network and her experience is primarily in traditional government press offices.
Her next challenge will be to translate that experience into the demands of one of the most visible communications jobs in American politics.
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