WASHINGTON — The White House briefing room has its next star. On Friday, October 9, 2026, President Donald J. Trump appointed Katie Zacharia as White House Press Secretary. “It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia,” the President wrote on Truth Social. “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!”
Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn before leaving for Syracuse, the President talked up his pick. “Katie is going to be the press secretary. She’s a friend of most of you,” he said. “We just hired a new press secretary, and she’s going to be, I think, terrific.” In his announcement he added that he is confident Katie “will deliver strong results for our Country,” since “she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration,” and he noted she helped his 2024 campaign in key swing states.
Zacharia answered with gratitude and fire. “Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime. President Trump has shown America that we can be great again, and he works to effectuate that greatness every single day,” she wrote. “The work ahead is to continue delivering strong results for our Country and communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day… Following the fabulous Karoline Leavitt is a high standard, and one worth meeting. God bless President Trump, and God bless America.”
She brings real experience to the podium. A conservative lawyer with law and bachelor’s degrees from Pepperdine University, Zacharia most recently served as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, served as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs and spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security, and worked for Richard Grenell’s Fix California. She has been a tough, effective defender of the America First agenda on television and online.
Team Trump lined up behind her. Karoline Leavitt, who left the White House in August, wrote that the job is “one of the most challenging yet fun jobs on the planet” and that “Katie has my full support.” Vice President JD Vance posted: “Congratulations and welcome to the team @KatieZacharia. Looking forward to your first briefing and working with you!” Zacharia said her first day on the job is Monday. Watch the Official White House video.
