Trump Selects Katie Zacharia as White House Press Secretary

President Donald Trump has selected conservative commentator and communications adviser Katie Zacharia to become the next White House press secretary, multiple news organizations reported on October 9, 2026. A White House official confirmed the selection to CNBC, although it remained unclear whether Zacharia had formally accepted the offer to replace Karoline Leavitt, who left the administration in August.

Zacharia's appointment would put a former Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman and current Trump Media and Technology Group adviser in charge of communicating the president's positions to reporters. Her professional background includes conservative political commentary, Republican Party work and communications roles connected to the Trump administration.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Zacharia has served as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media since June. The company operates Truth Social, the social media platform favored by Trump. Her profile also identifies her as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative activist organization founded by Richard Grenell, a Trump administration official and former head of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Her selection follows Leavitt's departure in late August, which left the White House without its previous press secretary. According to CNN, Trump consulted several close allies and advisers during the selection process, including Leavitt, before making his decision and offering Zacharia the position.

Zacharia's experience in federal government includes a short stint at the Department of Homeland Security under then-Secretary Kristi Noem. Her LinkedIn profile indicates that she completed a two-month stint as a department spokeswoman in March 2026, while reporting by The Daily Beast described her tenure there as lasting roughly three months.

Before joining the department, Zacharia built a public profile through appearances on conservative television and political talk shows. Her appearances have included programs on Fox News and Newsmax, according to CNN and CNBC. Her career in Republican politics also extends back to 2006, when she interned at the Republican National Committee during the George W. Bush administration.

Her subsequent political experience included serving as the Republican National Committee's press secretary in 2024, according to The Daily Beast. Her work with Fix California has also connected her to conservative political organizing in California, where she lives, according to The New York Times.

Trump's decision came after several potential replacements were discussed, The Daily Beast reported. The names included political commentator Scott Jennings, former Trump personal lawyer Alina Habba, former campaign spokesperson Jason Miller and Anna Kelly, who served as Leavitt's deputy press secretary.

The White House's choice was first reported by The New York Times, followed by confirmation from a White House official to CNBC. CNN also reported that Trump had sought advice from Leavitt before offering Zacharia the role. The White House and Zacharia had not immediately responded to requests for comment from The New York Times, while CNN said it had contacted Zacharia for comment.