President Trump has named Katie Zacharia the next White House press secretary, choosing a loyal MAGA communicator and former DHS spokeswoman to replace Karoline Leavitt.
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had just appointed Katie Zacharia as press secretary. Breitbart News reported that multiple sources familiar with the matter confirmed an offer for the post had already been extended to her.
The move ends nearly two months of media speculation over who would succeed Karoline Leavitt at the podium. Leavitt served as White House press secretary from January 2025 through August and left the job to spend more time with her young children.
Trump praised Leavitt’s record while introducing her replacement and made clear he expects Zacharia to keep delivering results for the administration and the country.
Zacharia currently serves as senior communications adviser to Truth Social and Trump Media & Technology Group, a role she has held since June. Trump called her performance there outstanding.
A native of California, she previously worked as spokeswoman and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security in February and March. She is an attorney, a distinguished graduate of Pepperdine University and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, and sits on the Dean’s Council board at the law school. She also serves as general counsel for Fix California and has been a frequent commentator on Fox News and Newsmax.
Leavitt has since moved into television work, a path noted when Karoline Leavitt joined Fox News as a contributor after leaving the White House role.
Trump laid out Zacharia’s record and his confidence in her in a lengthy Truth Social post.
President Trump wrote:
"It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia. Katie currently serves as Senior Communications Advisor to Truth Social (Trump Media & Technology Group), where she has been outstanding! A native of California, Katie previously served as Spokesperson and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. Katie is a distinguished Graduate of Pepperdine University, and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, an attorney, and a frequent Commentator on outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax. She was previously involved in my Campaigns, assisting in key Swing States, where we won 7 out of 7. She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA! 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. Katie is replacing the fabulous Karoline Leavitt, who did a fantastic job as Press Secretary. Good luck Katie! President DONALD J. TRUMP"
Trump stressed her campaign work in key swing states and her long record of support. He framed her as someone who already has the respect needed to work with the press, the public, and his administration.
After Leavitt’s exit, names floated in coverage included CNN’s Scott Jennings and White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly. The vacancy kept attention on the succession for nearly two months while Trump weighed the choice.
Earlier reporting captured the open field when Trump was still weighing options for the next press secretary as Leavitt prepared to leave.
Leavitt herself had discussed the handoff process. Coverage later noted that she said she had counseled Trump on picking her successor while the search continued.
Zacharia’s selection closes that chapter with a known quantity inside the broader Trump orbit, someone already serving at Truth Social, with prior DHS public-affairs experience and a public MAGA record. The White House had also drawn notice when the press secretary post was first offered to Katie Zacharia before the formal announcement.
Leavitt’s own next steps included organizational work outside the briefing room. Separate reporting covered how she confirmed a MAGA Inc. role after stepping down as press secretary.
Zacharia now steps into one of the most visible jobs in the administration. The briefing room demands speed, discipline, and a steady defense of the president’s agenda under constant scrutiny.
A press secretary who already knows the fight and the record is exactly the kind of hire that keeps the message clear and the administration on offense.
