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US President Donald Trump announced on Friday the appointment of conservative commentator Katie Zacharia to serve as his White House press secretary, according to reporting from AFP. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described Zacharia as a loyal and brilliant supporter with an "unblemished record of support" dating back to the beginning of his political career. He also characterised her as a devoted member of his Make America Great Again movement.
Zacharia, a lawyer by training, currently works as a senior communications advisor to Trump Media and Technology Group, which operates the president’s Truth Social platform. Trump praised her work at the company as "outstanding" and expressed confidence that she would deliver strong results in the press secretary role and maintain a positive relationship with the White House press corps.
The appointment fills one of the most visible positions in the White House, with the press secretary responsible for briefing journalists, addressing questions about administration policies, and serving as a chief public defender of the president. Zacharia succeeds Karoline Leavitt, who held the position since Trump returned to power in January 2025 and stepped down in late August following the birth of her second child. Leavitt, who became the youngest White House press secretary in US history at age 27, has joined Fox News as an on-air contributor.
Zacharia brings extensive experience in Republican politics and conservative media. She has worked as a frequent commentator on conservative television networks including Fox News and Newsmax, and previously served as a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security under then-secretary Kristi Noem earlier this year, though she left after approximately two months. She is also a graduate of Pepperdine University’s law school and began her career as an intern for the Republican National Committee in 2006, according to CNN reporting cited by the Jamaica Observer.
Based in California, Zacharia has also served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative advocacy group founded by longtime Trump ally Richard Grenell. According to CNBC, the organisation works to advance conservative political causes in the Democratic-leaning state. Trump consulted with several allies and advisors, including outgoing press secretary Leavitt, before making the decision to offer Zacharia the position.
The White House press secretary role is among the most prominent positions in any US administration, requiring the officeholder to serve as the primary spokesperson for the president and the administration’s policies. The position gained particular visibility during Trump’s second term, which began in January 2025.
Sources and attribution
- Jamaica Observer
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