Who is Katie Zacharia? The new White House press secretary replacing Karoline Leavitt

The White House briefing room is preparing for a new spokesperson after President Donald Trump announced Friday that Katie Zacharia would succeed Karoline Leavitt , who left the administration in August.

Zacharia 's appointment ends a six-week vacancy in one of Washington's most visible positions, placing a longtime Trump supporter in charge of communicating the administration's policies and responding to questions from the national press.

Trump announced his decision on Truth Social, describing Zacharia as “a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning,” while highlighting her involvement in his previous presidential campaigns.

The selection brings someone already familiar with conservative media into a position that requires regular interaction with reporters from across the political spectrum.

Zacharia , 41, is a California-based attorney, political commentator and mother of four whose career has included work in conservative organizations, government communications and television.

She earned both her undergraduate degree and law degree from Pepperdine University before establishing a career that combined legal work with political advocacy and public affairs.

Her previous positions include serving as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative nonprofit founded by Trump ally Richard Grenell , and working with the anti-abortion organization White Rose Resistance.

Earlier in 2026, Zacharia briefly served as a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security before joining Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social.

She has also appeared regularly on Fox News and Newsmax, discussing political developments and offering commentary from a conservative perspective.

Why did Karoline Leavitt leave the White House?

Leavitt announced her departure on August 12 and officially stepped down on August 27, explaining that she wanted to spend more time with her young children.

She had served as Trump 's press secretary since January 2025, following her role as national press secretary during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.

Leavitt became known for her confrontational exchanges with reporters and frequent defense of the president's policies, establishing a recognizable presence at White House briefings.

Her next position will be outside government, with Fox News announcing that she will join the network as an on-air contributor beginning November 1.

Zacharia faces immediate challenge in Washington

The incoming press secretary takes over ahead of November's midterm elections, with the administration facing questions about its policies and legal challenges involving restrictions on media access.

Zacharia acknowledged the responsibility in a statement following her appointment, thanking Trump and describing the opportunity as the “honor of a lifetime.”

“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,” she wrote on X.

Her appointment signals continuity in Trump 's preference for politically aligned communications officials, although her effectiveness in the briefing room will depend on how she handles scrutiny from reporters.