White House Taps Katie Zacharia to Replace Karoline Leavitt as Press Secretary

The White House has selected conservative commentator Katie Zacharia to serve as its next press secretary, a White House official confirmed, putting her in line to replace Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down from the role in August. It is not yet clear whether Zacharia has accepted the offer.

Zacharia currently works as a communications adviser at Trump Media and Technology Group, the company that operates President Donald Trump's social media platform Truth Social, according to her LinkedIn profile. She previously served at the Department of Homeland Security as a spokesperson for former Secretary Kristi Noem, a role that gave her experience at the center of the administration's public messaging on immigration and national security.

Beyond her government and corporate communications work, Zacharia appears frequently on conservative media outlets including Fox News and Newsmax, building a public profile as a commentator aligned with the president's political base. That visibility, combined with her recent stint at Trump Media, places her close to the president's inner circle of communications advisers.

The New York Times first reported that Zacharia had been tapped by the White House. The selection was subsequently confirmed by a White House official, though the timing of any formal announcement or start date has not been disclosed.

Leavitt's departure in August left the press secretary position vacant for a period, and the appointment of a successor is a closely watched decision because the role serves as the administration's most visible daily interface with the news media. The press secretary fields questions from reporters, coordinates messaging across federal agencies, and represents the White House's position on domestic and international issues.

Zacharia's background differs from that of a traditional government communications operative. Her most recent private-sector role at Trump Media and Technology Group ties her to the company that runs Truth Social, the platform the president has used as a primary channel for direct communication with supporters. Her earlier tenure at the Department of Homeland Security under Noem adds government experience, particularly in an area that has been a central focus of the administration's policy agenda.

Her regular appearances on Fox News and Newsmax suggest she is comfortable in the kind of high-pressure, live-television environment that the press secretary job demands. Those appearances have also made her a recognizable figure among conservative audiences, which could shape how she approaches the briefing room.

It remains unclear whether Zacharia has formally accepted the position, and no date has been given for when she might take over the briefing podium. The White House has not released additional details about the transition or about who might fill other communications roles.

The press secretary position has historically been one of the most demanding jobs in Washington, requiring near-daily exchanges with reporters and rapid responses to breaking news. The person who fills the role will inherit an administration that communicates heavily through direct channels, including social media, while still facing sustained questioning from the press corps.

Zacharia's selection continues a pattern of drawing communications personnel from the president's business and media orbit rather than from traditional party or congressional offices. Her combination of corporate communications work, homeland security experience, and conservative media presence gives her a profile that spans several of the administration's key messaging priorities.

Further details about the appointment are expected as the White House moves toward finalizing the transition.

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Caroline Mercer

World News Correspondent

Caroline Mercer covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Core Memo. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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