Trump selects Katie Zacharia as next White House press secretary

President Donald Trump announced on 9 October that he had selected Katie Zacharia, a commentator and communications adviser at Trump Media and Technology Group, as the next White House press secretary in the United States. She will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August after the birth of her second child.¹²³⁴

Trump’s announcement

Trump described Zacharia as a long-standing supporter in announcing the appointment. He said: “It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia.” He also called her a devoted fan and member of MAGA, and said she had an unblemished record of support. Zacharia thanked Trump for the opportunity, describing the post as an honour.¹²³

According to the BBC, Zacharia would become the sixth person to serve as Trump’s top spokesperson over his two terms in office. The press secretary’s duties include briefing journalists, responding to questions on administration policy and defending the president, according to The Straits Times.¹³

Professional background

Zacharia serves as a communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group, the company that owns Truth Social. The Associated Press said her work at the company creates a direct connection between the incoming press secretary and the platform. A company filing says Trump Media and Technology Group is a Florida corporation with executive offices in Sarasota, Florida.²³⁴⁵

Earlier, she briefly worked as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. The BBC reported that she worked there from February to March this year and said she left because travel between California and Washington put pressure on her family. The BBC and The Straits Times said Zacharia was general counsel at Fix California, a group established by Trump ally Ric Grenell.¹³

The Guardian reported that Zacharia is a California native who obtained a law degree from Pepperdine University in 2011. The Guardian also said she headed Pepperdine’s College Republican group and held internships at the Republican National Committee and in the White House political affairs office under the second Bush administration. The BBC reported that she later spent nearly two years clerking at a Beijing law firm.¹²

Change at the briefing room

After giving birth to her second child, Leavitt departed the White House press secretary role in August. The BBC reported that she has taken a job with Fox News, while The Straits Times said the network announced she would begin as an on-air contributor in November. Trump consulted allies and advisers, including Leavitt, before offering Zacharia the position, according to The Straits Times.¹²³

Zacharia’s move comes from Trump Media and Technology Group, whose annual report says its mission is to “end Big Tech’s assault on free speech”. The company’s Truth Social platform was generally made available in 2022, according to its filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.²⁵