President Donald Trump announced on Friday the appointment of Katie Zacharia as the next White House Press Secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt who departed the role in August. Zacharia currently serves as a communications adviser at Trump Media and Technology Group, the firm behind the Truth Social platform.
In a Truth Social post, Trump praised Zacharia as a “loyal and brilliant supporter” who has backed him since the beginning. He expressed confidence that she would deliver strong results and work effectively with the media, the public, and his administration.
Zacharia’s background includes serving as a spokesperson for then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as holding the position of general counsel at Fix California, a conservative nonprofit founded by former Acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell. She is a graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and currently resides in California. In June, she joined the advisory board of NovaRed Mining Inc., a Canadian mining company, just weeks before Noem also joined the board.
Leavitt, who became the youngest person to hold the press secretary role at age 27, recently joined Fox News as an on-air contributor starting November 1. She is the third press secretary from Trump’s previous term to join the network. Trump had announced her departure earlier, stating she would serve as an outside advisor to help the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections.
Leavitt stepped down to spend more time with her family after giving birth to her second child in May. During her tenure, she was known for her sharp exchanges with reporters, reflecting Trump’s often contentious relationship with the press.
Zacharia takes over during a period of heightened tension between the White House and the media. In September, Trump banned POLITICO, CNN, and MSNBC from the White House grounds, a move that sparked legal battles. Although a federal judge temporarily blocked the ban, Trump later restricted those outlets from boarding Air Force One.
The appointment comes as Trump faces record-low approval ratings linked to the war in Iran and rising inflation, with the November midterms posing a threat to Republican control of Congress.
Does anyone else find it ironic that the youngest press secretary left for family, while the new appointee is praised for loyalty? Priorities shift quickly.
Interesting that she joins NovaRed Mining right before Noem does. Seems like a familiar pattern in these appointments.
Replacing Leavitt is a bold move. The media war is escalating, and I wonder if Zacharia has the same sharp edge.