President Donald Trump announced Friday that Katie Zacharia will serve as the next White House Press Secretary, choosing a Trump Media communications adviser and former Department of Homeland Security official to succeed Karoline Leavitt.
“It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump’s announcement confirmed the choice after the position had remained vacant since Leavitt left the White House in late August.
Zachaira took to social media to express her gratitude: “The work ahead is to continue delivering strong results for our Country and communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day. I look forward to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out. Following the fabulous Karoline Leavitt is a high standard, and one worth meeting.”
Thank you to President Trump for the distinguished privilege of serving as White House Press Secretary.
Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime. President Trump has shown America that we can be great again, and he… pic.twitter.com/pLSyjiXI6P
— Katie Zacharia (@KatieZacharia) October 9, 2026
Zacharia currently serves as Senior Communications Adviser to Truth Social and Trump Media & Technology Group, Trump wrote. A California native, she previously served as a DHS spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs. Axios reported in February that Zacharia would join the department in the deputy assistant secretary role.
Trump also said Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, works as an attorney and has appeared as a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax. He said she previously assisted his presidential campaigns in key swing states.
Leavitt completed her final day as White House Press Secretary on August 27. The White House said she left after becoming the youngest person ever to hold the post.
Leavitt has since joined Fox News as an on-air contributor and will begin that role November 1, as The Dallas Express previously reported October 5.
Zacharia takes over the White House press operation less than four weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, placing her at the center of the administration’s public messaging during the closing stretch of the campaign season.
