President Donald Trump has appointed Katie Zacharia as the White House press secretary. Zacharia, an attorney and former communications advisor for Trump Media & Technology Group, is expected to conduct her first official press briefing on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. She succeeds Karoline Leavitt, who resigned from the position in August.
Zacharia joins the administration during a period of legal and logistical tension between the White House and the press corps. The Justice Department is currently investigating five television networks regarding their pool video coverage of the president. Additionally, the administration recently restricted access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, which Trump views as unfriendly.
A graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Zacharia previously served as a legal advisor for Fix California and as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security. She has been a frequent commentator on Fox News and Newsmax. In social media posts and media appearances, she has expressed support for Trump’s policies, including a plan to import Russian diesel fuel, and has commented on social issues, including criticism of abortion and feminism during discussions of a murder trial.
The transition comes as the administration faces record-low approval ratings and prepares for midterm elections in November 2026. Congressional Republicans and candidates in swing states are monitoring the administration's communication strategy as they seek to retain seats in the House and Senate. Zacharia’s previous commentary, including her 2022 social media posts regarding Democratic leaders and her August 2026 statements on "toxic feminism" during the Lindsay Clancy trial, has already drawn scrutiny from the media site Popular Information.
While the press secretary role does not carry a direct legislative impact, the holder of the office manages the flow of information that shapes public perception of federal policy and legal investigations. Under the vacancy since August, only a few briefings were held, conducted by Vice President JD Vance and Attorney General Todd Blanche. Zacharia is scheduled to begin regular briefings on October 13, 2026.
Popular Information recently highlighted Zacharia's past social media posts, including a 2022 post where she used a disparaging nickname for former Democratic White House chief of staff John Podesta. When asked for comment, the White House praised Zacharia's professional qualifications without addressing the specific posts. FBI Director Kash Patel and former press secretary Karoline Leavitt have publicly expressed support for her appointment.