Trump Appoints Trump Media Advisor Katie Zacharia as White House Press Secretary

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Katie Zacharia would become the next White House press secretary, with her term beginning Monday, Columbus Day. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Zacharia would hold her introductory press conference Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the White House briefing room. He expressed confidence in her appointment, citing her longstanding support for him.

Zacharia succeeds Karoline Leavitt, who left the administration in late August after taking maternity leave following the birth of her second child. Leavitt is expected to join Fox News as an on-air contributor next month. Her departure created a vacancy in the administration's senior communications team.

Before her appointment, Zacharia served as a senior communications advisor at Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social. According to her LinkedIn profile, she joined the company in June. Her experience there placed her within the communications operation of a business closely associated with the president.

Zacharia also serves as general counsel at Fix California, a conservative advocacy organization founded by Richard Grenell, Trump's special presidential envoy for special missions. Her legal and communications background includes a brief period as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, where she worked for approximately two months earlier this year.

In addition to her professional roles, Zacharia has maintained a public presence as a conservative political commentator. Her media appearances include numerous segments on Fox News and other conservative outlets. She has publicly described herself as a strong supporter of Trump, reflecting her longstanding political alignment with the administration.

As White House press secretary, Zacharia will be responsible for communicating the administration's positions, conducting press briefings and responding to questions from journalists. The position serves as a central link between the White House and the news media, particularly during major policy announcements and political developments.

The appointment reflects Trump's decision to select a communications official with experience across conservative media, political advocacy and government public affairs. Zacharia's introductory briefing will provide an early indication of how she intends to approach interactions with the White House press corps and communicate the administration's priorities.