President Donald Trump has named conservative commentator and communications adviser Katie Zacharia as the new White House press secretary.

President Donald Trump announced on October 9 that he has appointed Katie Zacharia as the new White House press secretary. Zacharia, a lawyer and communications adviser for the Trump Media and Technology Group, will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down in August. Trump described Zacharia as a loyal supporter and a devoted member of the MAGA movement.

Background and Career

Zacharia is a California native and a graduate of Pepperdine University’s law school. Her career in Republican politics includes an internship at the Republican National Committee in 2006 and a role in the White House office of political affairs during the second Bush administration. She has also served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative nonprofit founded by Richard Grenell. Before her appointment, Zacharia worked as a senior communications adviser for the Trump Media and Technology Group, which operates the Truth Social platform. She previously served a brief two-month stint as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security earlier in 2026.

Transition and Response

The appointment follows weeks of speculation regarding who would replace Leavitt, who left the role to focus on her family. Following the announcement, Zacharia expressed gratitude on X, stating that serving as press secretary is a distinguished privilege and that she looks forward to communicating the administration's work to the American people. Trump noted that he is confident she will maintain a positive relationship with the White House press corps.