Trump Names Katie Zacharia as New White House Press Secretary

President Donald Trump announced on Friday via Truth Social that Katie Zacharia will serve as the next White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt, 29, resigned in August to focus on her family, leaving the briefing room podium empty for nearly two months. Zacharia, a 42-year-old attorney and frequent Fox News and Newsmax contributor, most recently worked as a senior communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group.

Zacharia's background includes a law degree from Pepperdine University, a stint as an outside counsel for the World Bank in China, and a brief tenure as a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this year. She left the DHS role after six weeks, citing family travel demands, though reports suggested internal friction regarding her ties to adviser Corey Lewandowski.

“Following Karoline Leavitt is a high standard, and one worth meeting.”

Trump described Zacharia as a "faithful and exceptionally astute supporter from the very first moment" and highlighted her work on his campaigns in key battleground states. Zacharia responded that following Leavitt "is a high standard, and one worth meeting." Her official start date is expected to be Monday.

The appointment draws attention to Zacharia's media-centric profile, having built a reputation as a combative cable news defender of Trump's "America First" agenda. Analysts note her style leans more toward televised advocacy than traditional press corps management, raising questions about how she will navigate daily briefings.

Past social media activity has also resurfaced, including deleted posts where Zacharia advocated for suspending habeas corpus and suggested a federal takeover of California. The Bulwark reported these positions could complicate her relationship with the White House press corps and raise questions about her commitment to constitutional norms.