Trump chooses commentator Katie Zacharia as press secretary
The conservative commentator succeeds Karoline Leavitt, although sources initially reported differing details about the appointment.
President Donald Trump has appointed Katie Zacharia as the White House's new press secretary. US media initially reported on Friday that she had been offered the position; Trump later presented her, according to AP, as Karoline Leavitt's successor.
Trump announced the choice on Friday via Truth Social, the social network owned by his media company. According to AP, he said Zacharia would become the White House's chief spokesperson. Shortly beforehand, CBS News reported, citing a White House official, that Zacharia had been offered the position but that the administration had not yet officially confirmed her appointment.
Zacharia works as a communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. Earlier this year, she also briefly served as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security. AP also describes her as a commentator for Fox News and Newsmax, two American conservative news organisations.
The appointment comes after Karoline Leavitt left her post as press secretary at the end of August. At the time, she said she wanted to spend more time with her young family. The White House had described her departure in August as the end of her time as press secretary; according to US media, Leavitt subsequently remained connected to Trump's political circle as an adviser.
The choice of Zacharia directly links Trump's political communications to his own media company. This is relevant because the press secretary not only conducts briefings for journalists but also coordinates the government's daily explanation of policy and decisions. Her previous work as a commentator also means that she already has a public profile outside formal government communications.
According to AP, Trump described Zacharia as a loyal and capable pillar of support. In a response, Zacharia called the appointment a great honour and said she wanted to explain the administration's results to the American public. In doing so, she emphasises the same political communications line that Trump chose in his announcement.
Nothing official has yet been announced about her start date or the precise organisation of her duties. Nor is it clear when the White House's daily press briefings will begin under her leadership. The available reporting does confirm the political choice, but leaves room for uncertainty about the formal completion of the appointment.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Trump has appointed Katie Zacharia as Karoline Leavitt's successor as White House press secretary.
- Zacharia works as a communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group and previously served as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security.
- US media initially differed in their descriptions of the appointment's formal status.
- Leavitt left her post as press secretary at the end of August.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach will primarily point to the risk that government communications will become further fused with partisan media controlled by Trump. The appointment may be seen as a choice of loyalty over independent scrutiny and as additional pressure on journalists who need access to the White House.
Values Transparency, independent journalism, institutional oversight and distance between government and party politics.
Consequences Supporters fear that briefings will become more propagandistic and that critical questions will receive less room. At the same time, attention to the appointment may lead to greater journalistic scrutiny of the administration's communications.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach emphasises that a president chooses their own chief spokesperson, but that the role remains credible if it provides factual information, answers questions and regularly accounts for itself. Zacharia's previous career is relevant, but not decisive in itself.
Values Administrative continuity, professional communication, clarity about responsibilities and verifiable information.
Consequences The assessment will depend mainly on her performance in briefings and the extent to which the White House maintains access and the possibility of challenge for the press.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach will emphasise that an elected president needs a spokesperson who understands his policies and can reach the public directly. From this perspective, Zacharia's experience at conservative media outlets and Trump's media company could help ensure a consistent and comprehensible message.
Values Political responsibility, loyalty to the president's mandate, direct communication and distrust of established media.
Consequences Supporters expect a more forceful defence of government policy and less reliance on media they regard as partisan. According to critics within this approach, the main risk is that an overly confrontational style will overshadow administrative information.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The article's central claims are independently confirmed by AP, CBS News and Reuters. Where the sources differed over the appointment's formal status, that difference has been retained in the text.
- confirmed Donald Trump announced Katie Zacharia on Friday as the White House's new press secretary. — AP describes Trump's announcement; Reuters reports that Zacharia has been appointed as Leavitt's successor. source
- confirmed CBS News initially reported that Zacharia had been offered the position, but that the White House had not yet confirmed her appointment. — This appears in CBS News reporting from 9 October 2026. source
- confirmed Zacharia works as a communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. — AP describes her as a communications adviser at Trump's media company; the company operates Truth Social. source
- confirmed Zacharia previously worked briefly as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security. — AP and CBS News mention her previous role at the Department of Homeland Security. source
- confirmed Zacharia was a commentator for Fox News and Newsmax. — AP mentions both media outlets in its description of her background. source
- confirmed Karoline Leavitt left her post as press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her family. — The White House and AP describe her departure and the stated reason. source
- confirmed Trump described Zacharia as loyal and brilliant. — AP reports this description from Trump's announcement. source
- confirmed No official start date has yet been reported for Zacharia. — The AP, CBS and Reuters reports consulted do not mention a start date; the text presents this as missing information. source
Editor's note
AP describes the choice of Zacharia as an announcement by Trump. CBS earlier reported that she had been offered the position without formal confirmation; the remaining uncertainty about the formal completion of the appointment and the start date has therefore been stated explicitly.Sources
- Trump names commentator Katie Zacharia of his media company as next White House press secretary — Associated Press
- Trump picks Katie Zacharia as next White House press secretary — CBS News
- Katie Zacharia picked as White House press secretary, NYT reports — Reuters via Investing.com
- NEVER SURRENDER: Karoline Leavitt’s Historic Tenure as White House Press Secretary — The White House
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