President Donald Trump on Friday has announced that Katie Zacharia will serve as the new White House press secretary, in replacement of Karoline Leavitt, who left the role in August.
“It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia,” Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social at 7:46 p.m.
Thank you to my incredible team at @truthsocial!!!! pic.twitter.com/EFmtLJ3Q2o
— Katie Zacharia (@KatieZacharia) October 9, 2026
The appointment is effective immediately, though the post did not specify a start date.
Zacharia succeeds Leavitt, who held the position from January 2025 until August 2026.
Leavitt stepped down, citing the need to spend more time with her family after she gave birth of her second child.
But it is unclear whether she was running from the role, as the Trump administration has been getting its boots busy with everyone lately, or whether it was really about family, as she has now taken a new job at Fox News as a contributor.
The U.S new white house press secretary currently serves as senior communications adviser to Truth Social, a position she has held since June 2026.
Trump has described her as “loyal and brilliant” and said she “will deliver strong results for our Country,” adding that she “has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration.”
🚨 Join me tomorrow morning on @MorningsFBN at 8am ET/5am PT with the amazing @cherylcasone on @FoxBusiness! pic.twitter.com/5813c6zWUk
— Katie Zacharia (@KatieZacharia) October 8, 2026
A lawyer and conservative commentator, Zacharia earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and her law degree from Pepperdine University. After law school she practiced corporate law in Beijing.
🚨 Join me tomorrow morning on @MorningsFBN at 6am ET on @FoxBusiness! pic.twitter.com/cTxwR0ABCK
— Katie Zacharia (@KatieZacharia) October 4, 2026
She later served as general counsel and chief advancement officer at Fix California, a conservative advocacy group. In February 2026, she briefly joined the Department of Homeland Security as spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs under Secretary Kristi Noem, leaving after about six weeks, citing family demands related to commuting between California and Washington.
Zacharia is a California native and frequent commentator on Fox News and Newsmax. She has previously assisted Trump’s campaigns in key swing states.
Trump’s announcement did not address timing for Zacharia’s first press briefing.
