President Donald Trump has selected conservative commentator Katie Zacharia to become the next White House press secretary, bringing a new face to the administration’s communications team as the country approaches the November midterm elections.
Zacharia will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August after deciding to spend more time with her family. Trump announced his choice on October 9, 2026, praising Zacharia for her loyalty and support of his administration.
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Who Is Katie Zacharia?
Katie Zacharia is an attorney, conservative commentator and communications adviser who has worked with organizations connected to the Republican political movement.
Before her appointment, she served as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social. Her previous experience also includes working as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security during former Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure.
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Zacharia has appeared on conservative media outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax, where she has discussed political issues and defended conservative positions.
She earned her undergraduate degree and law degree from Pepperdine University in California. She has also worked with Fix California, a conservative nonprofit focused on California politics.
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What Did Trump Say About His New Press Secretary?
Trump announced the appointment on Truth Social, highlighting Zacharia’s long-standing support for him and his political agenda.
He expressed confidence that she would work effectively with the media, the American public and members of his administration.
Zacharia also responded publicly to the announcement, describing the position as a major honor. She said she looked forward to communicating the administration’s accomplishments to Americans and working with White House correspondents.
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Her appointment places her in a prominent role responsible for communicating the president’s positions, responding to reporters’ questions and explaining White House decisions.
Why Is the Appointment Significant?
The White House press secretary serves as one of the administration’s most visible public representatives. The position involves regular communication with journalists and addressing questions about government policy, presidential decisions and major national developments.
Zacharia’s background in conservative media and communications could shape how the administration presents its policies and responds to public criticism.
Her selection also comes at a politically important moment, with the November midterm elections approaching. The elections will determine control of Congress and could significantly influence the remainder of Trump’s presidency.
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The appointment is therefore likely to attract attention from both supporters of the administration and journalists who regularly question White House officials.
What Happened to Karoline Leavitt?
Karoline Leavitt served as Trump’s press secretary during his second presidential term. She announced her departure in August and left the position later that month after the birth of her second child.
Leavitt had become a prominent figure in the administration and was known for her frequent appearances in the White House briefing room, where she defended the president’s policies and responded to reporters.
Fox News subsequently announced that Leavitt would join the network as an on-air contributor beginning November 1, 2026.
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Zacharia will now take on the responsibility of representing the administration to the press and public.
What Happens Next?
Zacharia’s appointment marks a new chapter for the White House communications operation. Her experience in political communications, conservative media and government public affairs will be central to her new responsibilities.
The administration has not provided a detailed public timeline for every aspect of the transition. Her first briefings and interactions with the White House press corps will offer a clearer picture of how she intends to approach the position.
As the midterm elections draw closer, her role is likely to become increasingly important in explaining the administration’s agenda and responding to questions about its policies.
For now, the appointment signals Trump’s choice of a trusted conservative voice to lead one of the White House’s most visible communication roles.