Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator and communications adviser for President Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform, has been appointed as the new White House press secretary, a White House official said on Friday.
Trump confirmed her appointment Friday, saying Zacharia will replace the “fabulous” Karoline Leavitt.
“She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that Zacharia was previously involved in his campaigns.
“I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration,” Trump wrote.
Zacharia‘s appointment, which follows Leavitt‘s departure from the role in August, places her in one of the administration’s most prominent public-facing positions ahead of November’s midterm elections.
She has worked as a senior communications adviser for Truth Social and Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Trump’s social media platform, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also has experience in government communications.
Zacharia briefly served as a Homeland Security spokesperson before leaving the department in March.
She has appeared as a commentator on Fox News, CNN and other media outlets. Zacharia also serves as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative nonprofit founded by Ric Grenell. She earned her law degree from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2011.
Zacharia has been married to Tyler Zacharia since 2011, and they have four children. The family lives in Southern California.
As press secretary, Zacharia will be responsible for communicating the administration’s positions, answering reporters’ questions and representing the White House during regular briefings and other public appearances.
Her appointment comes as Trump faces scrutiny over his handling of the economy and the war with Iran. The administration will also confront the political pressures of the midterms, making the press secretary’s role particularly visible.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment.
Leavitt stepped down as White House press secretary at the end of August, citing the demands of the job and her desire to spend more time with her family following the birth of her second child in May.
Trump announced her departure, saying she would leave the role to focus on her young children and family. He also praised her on social media as “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.”
Leavitt subsequently explained that balancing motherhood with the constant demands of the press secretary position had become difficult.
“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy and attention required of the White House press secretary—and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life,” she said at the time.
Leavitt had served as Trump‘s chief White House spokesperson since the beginning of his second term in January 2025. When she took office, she became the youngest person to hold the position at 28.
Trump said she would remain an outside adviser, allowing her to maintain a connection to his political operation after leaving the White House.
Leavitt is preparing for a move into television commentary after leaving the White House. Fox News announced this month that she would join the network as an on-air contributor beginning November 1.
Leavitt is expected to offer political commentary and analysis, drawing on her experience as White House press secretary and as a spokesperson for Trump‘s 2024 presidential campaign.
She has also been described by Trump as one of his outside advisers, leaving open the possibility of continued involvement in his political operation.
