Trump Appoints Praising Lawyer Katie Zacharia as New White House Press Secretary

U.S. President Donald Trump officially announced on Friday, October 9, the appointment of Katie Zacharia as the new White House press secretary. Zacharia is known for her past writings, including one where she called Trump "the greatest political athlete of all time" and an "unrivaled titan of American politics." She also compared the president to figures like Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Napoleon, and Julius Caesar. Trump praised Zacharia's "impeccable record of support," calling her a "loyal and brilliant" supporter and highlighting her MAGA affiliation. The decision followed consultations with his inner circle, including outgoing press secretary Caroline Levitt. Zacharia replaces Levitt, who departed in late August after her second child's birth, leaving the crucial role vacant for nearly two months. During this period, official press briefings at the White House had ceased, with Vice President Jay D. Vance being the last senior administration official to speak there.

Zacharia, 42, is a mother of four and a lawyer by training, holding degrees from Pepperdine University. Since June, she served as a senior communications advisor for Trump Media and its social network, Truth Social. While not widely known outside Trump's political circles, she has appeared on Fox News and Newsmax, often defending the president and criticizing Democrats, immigrants, and other media outlets. Fox News clarified they only invited her as a guest, not employed her. Trump reportedly selected Zacharia based on her media appearances, having sent her congratulatory messages after seeing her on television.

Zacharia has previously held a position in the Trump administration, serving as press secretary and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security for six weeks before resigning due to the strain of travel between California and Washington. Reports suggested her name was on a "blacklist" by Trump advisor Stephen Miller. She has also been a vocal opponent of abortion, sharing her personal story of being adopted. Zacharia is a devout Christian and is married to Tyler Zacharia, who works in the film industry, including on projects related to Christian cinema.

In her public statements, Zacharia has supported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed hostility towards Iran. She also criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. During the 2024 presidential campaign, she worked to engage Arab American voters in Dearborn, Michigan, a role Trump credited with contributing to his victory. Zacharia has also demonstrated a willingness to escalate minor conflicts, such as an incident at a gym where she refused to stop wearing a "Team Trump" cap after being asked by the owner.