President Donald Trump selected Katie Zacharia as the next White House press secretary on 2026-10-09, announcing that she would replace Karoline Leavitt in the role. The decision was made public on that date, marking a swift change in the administration’s communications team.
Zacharia is described as a conservative commentator and a former staffer at the Department of Homeland Security. Her resume includes work in media commentary and a brief tenure within the federal security agency, details that Trump highlighted when introducing her.
Trump selects Katie Zacharia as next White House press secretary https://t.co/kZxMQTS1GP
In his announcement, Trump emphasized Zacharia’s unblemished record of support and loyalty, noting that she has been a steadfast backer from the beginning. He also pointed to her media experience, specifically her work with Truth Social, the Trump Media & Technology Group, and her frequent appearances on Fox News and Newsmax.
Among those consulted was Karoline Leavitt, the outgoing press secretary.
Following the announcement, Zacharia took to social media to express her gratitude. She called the appointment an honor, saying, "Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime."
BREAKING: Trump reportedly selects conservative commentator Katie Zacharia as his new White House press secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt. https://t.co/PXuX2hICgx
The selection process moved quickly. Trump consulted a circle of close allies before finalizing his choice, seeking their opinions on Zacharia’s suitability for the post.
Among those consulted was Karoline Leavitt, the outgoing press secretary. Trump reached out to Leavitt and other advisers in recent days to gather their thoughts on Zacharia as his prospective successor.
Trump selects Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary https://t.co/5euAdII4gz
The White House had encountered difficulty identifying candidates who had not previously criticized Trump. This challenge contributed to the urgency behind settling on a figure who could step into the role without a history of opposition.
Zacharia framed her new role within the broader context of the nation’s history, referencing the critical 250‑year mark of American independence. Trump echoed this sentiment, describing Zacharia as a friend of the press corps, someone who likes people, and predicting she would be terrific in the position.