President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Katie Zacharia, a lawyer and communications executive for Trump Media & Technology, has been selected as the next White House press secretary.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed that Zacharia would assume her duties on Columbus Day and hold an introductory news conference at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday from the White House Press Briefing Room. “Katie has been with me, in spirit, from the very beginning, and will do a fantastic job,” Trump wrote.
Zacharia succeeds Karoline Leavitt, who departed the administration in late August after taking maternity leave following the birth of her second child. Leavitt is scheduled to join Fox News as an on-air contributor next month.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Zacharia has served as a senior communications advisor for Trump Media since June. The company owns Truth Social, the social media platform preferred by the president. She also holds the position of general counsel at Fix California, a conservative activist organization established by Richard Grenell, who currently serves as Trump’s special presidential envoy for special missions and formerly led the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Previously, Zacharia worked as a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security for two months earlier this year. Her IMDb page lists numerous appearances on Fox News political talk shows and other conservative media outlets. Describing herself as a “hardline Trump supporter” on X, she brings a background in both legal affairs and media communications to the role.
CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.
Karoline Leavitt leaving for Fox News is no surprise. Zacharia seems like a safe, predictable pick who won’t rock the boat anytime soon.
Wait, she’s also general counsel for Fix California? I didn’t know that connection existed. Sounds like another loyalist in a key role.
Interesting choice. Her media background could help manage the Trump brand, but does she have enough policy experience for the briefing room?