President Donald Trump has chosen conservative commentator Katie Zacharia to serve as the next White House press secretary, announcing the decision on Friday. Zacharia currently works as a communications adviser at Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. She previously served as a spokesperson for former Secretary Kristi Noem at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has appeared frequently on conservative outlets like Fox News and Newsmax.
Zacharia expressed her excitement on X, calling the appointment “the honor of a lifetime” and pledging to communicate the administration’s achievements to the American people. The Trump Administration, which claims to be the “most transparent” in history, has not held a formal press briefing in 36 days. Trump praised Zacharia’s “unblemished record of support” and her alignment with the MAGA movement, stating he is confident she will deliver strong results.
Zacharia’s background includes roles as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative non-profit, and a recent appointment to the advisory board of NovaRed Mining Inc, a Canadian company. Meanwhile, her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history, has joined Fox News as an on-air contributor. Leavitt’s departure follows her maternity leave and decision to spend more time with her family.
Zacharia’s arrival coincides with ongoing tensions over media access, including Trump’s recent ban on POLITICO, CNN, and MS NOW from the White House grounds, which sparked a legal battle. The administration faces record-low approval ratings due to its handling of the war in Iran and rising inflation, as well as looming midterm elections that threaten Republican control of Congress.