Trump Taps Katie Zacharia as New White House Press Secretary
- United States President Donald Trump announced on October 10, 2026, that conservative commentator Katie Zacharia will serve as the next White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt.
- Zacharia steps into the role after working as a senior communications adviser for Truth Social and the Trump Media & Technology Group, alongside frequent appearances on conservative television...
- Yahoo reported that Zacharia has faced scrutiny over past social media posts, including a November 2025 statement attempting to link the abortion pill mifepristone to the manufacturer of...
United States President Donald Trump announced on October 10, 2026, that conservative commentator Katie Zacharia will serve as the next White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt. Zacharia begins her term on October 12, 2026, and is scheduled to hold her first introductory news conference on October 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. from the White House Press Briefing Room, according to statements posted on Truth Social and reported by Nine.com.au. The transition comes as the Trump administration prepares for the upcoming midterm congressional elections, placing the press secretary role under intense scrutiny across Washington media outlets.
Selection and White House Background
Zacharia steps into the role after working as a senior communications adviser for Truth Social and the Trump Media & Technology Group, alongside frequent appearances on conservative television networks such as Fox News and Newsmax, according to ABC News. President Trump praised her loyalty, stating that she has supported his administration right from the beginning. In addition to her digital media work, Zacharia briefly served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security in early 2026 and worked as a legal adviser for Fix California, a conservative group founded by Richard Grenell, as noted by Nine.com.au and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Controversy Surrounding Online Claims
Yahoo reported that Zacharia has faced scrutiny over past social media posts, including a November 2025 statement attempting to link the abortion pill mifepristone to the manufacturer of Zyklon B used in Nazi concentration camps. Yahoo noted that she has also previously promoted claims questioning the 2020 presidential election. Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph reported that federal probes are examining five television networks over what has been described as brazen intimidation, though details connecting those investigations directly to the press office transition remain limited in the available reporting.
Kalshi Investigates Suspicious Betting Activity
Prediction market platform Kalshi launched an investigation into suspicious bets placed ahead of the public announcement regarding the White House press secretary pick, according to The Hill.
Departure of Karoline Leavitt
Zacharia replaces Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person ever appointed to the position, who stepped down at the end of August 2026 to return from maternity leave and focus on her family. President Trump thanked Leavitt for her service, writing on social media that her performance could not have been better. Leavitt publicly congratulated her successor, stating on social media that Zacharia has her full support as she transitions into the demanding briefing room role.
As I told the President, Katie has my full support and I look forward to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out.
Karoline Leavitt