Trump appoints Katie Zacharia as new White House press secretary

Saturday 10 - 14:45

By: Azzat Manal

Trump appoints Katie Zacharia as new White House press secretary

US President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of conservative commentator Katie Zacharia as the White House's new press secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August. The decision brings a communications professional with experience in government and conservative media into one of the administration's most visible roles.

Trump announced the appointment on Friday through his Truth Social platform, describing it as an honour and expressing confidence in Zacharia's ability to represent his administration. He said he expected her to perform effectively in the role and praised her relationships with the media, the American public and members of his team.

The president also highlighted Zacharia's loyalty and involvement in his political campaigns, noting that she had helped his efforts in several key swing states. His remarks underscored the importance he places on selecting a spokesperson who understands his political priorities and can communicate the administration's message to the public.

Trump also thanked Leavitt for her service, describing her performance as excellent. During her tenure, Leavitt became a prominent figure in the administration's public communications, regularly addressing journalists and defending the president's policies and decisions.

Born in California in 1984, Zacharia studied at Pepperdine University and its Caruso School of Law, where she qualified as a lawyer. Her professional background includes government communications, having previously served as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.

Before her appointment, Zacharia worked as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. According to her professional profile on LinkedIn, she had held that position since July, bringing experience in political messaging and media strategy to her new role.

Zacharia is also known for her support of Trump's political movement, commonly referred to as Make America Great Again, or MAGA. She has appeared regularly on conservative media outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax, where she has discussed and defended policies associated with the administration.

As White House press secretary, Zacharia will be responsible for communicating presidential decisions, responding to journalists' questions and explaining the administration's positions on domestic and international issues. The role places her at the centre of the relationship between the White House and the press, with public briefings and media exchanges serving as a key channel through which the administration presents its agenda.