WASHINGTON, United States – President Donald Trump has named Katie Zacharia, a communications adviser at his media company, as the next White House press secretary, placing a former conservative television commentator in charge of the administration’s main public-facing communications role.
Trump announced the selection on October 9 through Truth Social, the social media platform operated by Trump Media & Technology Group. He praised Zacharia as a “loyal and brilliant supporter” and highlighted her work with his political campaigns.
Zacharia will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the position on August 27 to spend more time with her family. The White House press secretary’s office has been vacant since her departure.
The appointment brings someone with experience in conservative media, political communications and federal government public affairs into a role that serves as the administration’s main contact with the White House press corps.
From Trump Media to the White House
Zacharia most recently worked as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates Truth Social. She joined the company in 2026 after a brief stint at the Department of Homeland Security.
Her government experience includes serving as a DHS spokesperson earlier this year. She has also appeared as a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax and worked in Republican politics.
Zacharia studied at Pepperdine University, where she earned her undergraduate and law degrees. Her background combines legal training with political advocacy, media appearances and communications work.
In response to Trump’s announcement, Zacharia thanked the president and described the appointment as an honour. She said she intended to communicate the administration’s achievements to the American public.
The White House had not publicly specified a formal start date for her new role in the announcement.
What the press secretary does
The White House press secretary serves as a principal spokesperson for the president and administration. The role includes briefing journalists, responding to questions about government policy and decisions, and communicating the White House’s position on current events.
The position also places the office at the centre of the relationship between the administration and news organizations. Briefings can provide information about government actions, but they also allow reporters to question officials and challenge statements made by the president or other members of the administration.
Zacharia’s experience in political communications and conservative media provides a background for the role. However, her approach to press briefings, access for journalists and responses to difficult questions will become clearer only after she begins the job.
Trump Media connection draws attention
Zacharia’s move from Trump Media & Technology Group to the White House creates a direct professional link between the president’s private media company and his administration’s communications operation.
Trump Media is a private company that operates Truth Social, which Trump uses to announce political decisions and communicate with supporters. The White House press secretary, by contrast, performs a government role and speaks on behalf of the administration.
That distinction makes the transition relevant to questions about how the White House communicates with the public and the press. However, the company connection alone does not establish a conflict of interest or show that Zacharia’s government duties will be influenced by private business interests.
Any specific concern would require evidence about her official responsibilities, financial interests or conduct in office.
Leavitt leaves after serving as Trump’s spokesperson
Leavitt became White House press secretary in January 2025 after serving as national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. She became a prominent defender of the administration during briefings and public exchanges with reporters.
Trump announced in August that Leavitt would leave the role to spend more time with her children. She completed her final day at the White House on August 27.
Fox News has announced that Leavitt will join the network as an on-air contributor beginning November 1. Her move will take her from the government briefing room to a media role.
Zacharia’s appointment therefore marks a change in the administration’s communications leadership, while Leavitt’s next position will keep the former press secretary in the public discussion of US politics.
Questions for the new press secretary
Zacharia’s appointment comes as the White House continues to manage relations with news organizations over briefing-room access, questions about policy and the administration’s use of social media.
As press secretary, she will be expected to explain administration decisions and respond to journalists on issues ranging from domestic policy to foreign affairs. The role also requires distinguishing official government information from political messaging.
Her previous work at Trump Media and in conservative television provides experience in communicating political positions. How she applies that experience to the duties of a government spokesperson remains to be seen.
The immediate change is clear: Trump has selected a communications adviser from his media company to replace Leavitt. The broader significance will depend on how Zacharia conducts briefings, handles scrutiny and communicates the administration’s decisions to the public.
Reporting Credit: The White House; Trump Media & Technology Group; US Department of Homeland Security.
