President Donald Trump has appointed conservative commentator Katie Zacharia as the next White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt, who resigned from the role in August. The announcement was made on Friday via Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he described Zacharia, 41, as a “loyal and brilliant supporter” who played a key role in his campaign efforts in critical swing states.
Zacharia currently serves as a senior communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, the company that operates Truth Social, the president’s social media platform. Before this role, she briefly worked as a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under then-Secretary Kristi Noem, a tenure that lasted approximately six weeks until March 2026.
Her short stint at DHS drew some controversy linked by media reports to her associations with Corey Lewandowski, a former chief adviser to Noem. Zacharia denied these claims, attributing her departure to the difficulty of balancing travel between Washington and her family in California. The period at DHS coincided with heightened tensions following fatal shootings of two anti-immigration protesters, during which Zacharia was reportedly tasked with representing the department amid growing public scrutiny.
Before joining DHS, Zacharia held legal and communications roles in conservative advocacy groups, including serving as general counsel for Fix California, founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell, and supporting anti-abortion organization White Rose Resistance. She is also a frequent contributor and commentator on conservative television networks such as Fox News and Newsmax.
Trump praised Zacharia’s longstanding loyalty to his administration and campaigns, highlighting her “unblemished record of support” and her assistance in securing seven out of seven contested swing states during his election efforts. According to reports, Trump consulted Leavitt before selecting Zacharia to fill the press secretary position.
Leavitt, who left the White House to spend more time with her children, was known for her combative approach to the press and skepticism toward mainstream media. Zacharia acknowledged Leavitt’s tenure, expressing a commitment to maintaining strong communication with the American public and highlighting the administration’s achievements.
Zacharia holds undergraduate and law degrees from Pepperdine University and resides in California with her four children. Her appointment comes amid a politically charged environment as the White House prepares for the upcoming midterm elections, during which several Republican candidates have sought to distance themselves from Trump. The new press secretary will face the challenge of managing relations with the media during a period marked by legal disputes over the administration’s controversial efforts to restrict certain news organizations’ access to White House grounds.