Donald Trump names Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has chosen conservative commentator Katie Zacharia to serve as the new White House press secretary. BBC News and The Hill reported the appointment after Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social. Zacharia will serve as the primary spokesperson for the administration, according to the Washington Examiner. [1][3][4][5]

BBC News and the Washington Examiner both report that Zacharia replaces former press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August. The Hill added that Trump praised Zacharia for her previous work on his election campaign, noting her assistance in key swing states. In his social media statement, Trump described Zacharia as loyal and praised her record of support, BBC News reported. [1][3][4]

Zacharia currently works as a communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group, according to BBC News, The Hill, and the Washington Examiner. She also previously served as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security. Zacharia is an attorney who served as the assistant secretary of homeland security for public affairs from February to April 2026. [1][2][3][4][13]

BBC News notes that Zacharia will be the sixth chief spokesperson across Trump's two presidential administrations. The Washington Examiner noted that her appointment comes less than a month before the 2026 midterm elections, while multiple news organizations have active lawsuits against the administration. [1][4]