Reported by 2 sources

The short version

  • Katie Zacharia has been offered the position of White House press secretary to replace Karoline Leavitt, who departed in August following the birth of her second child.
  • Zacharia currently serves as a communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group and previously held a brief spokesperson role at the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year.
  • The selection marks the sixth individual to hold the chief spokesperson post across President Trump's two administrations, highlighting continued turnover in senior communications roles.

The White House has moved to fill its top communications vacancy by offering the role of press secretary to conservative commentator Katie Zacharia. A White House official confirmed the offer to multiple news organizations on Thursday, signaling an effort to stabilize the administration's media outreach after a period of transition. The position remains vacant since Karoline Leavitt stepped down at the end of August, leaving the daily briefing room and broader media strategy without a permanent leader for nearly two months.

Zacharia’s selection represents another shift in a role that has seen significant churn during President Trump’s tenure. She would become the sixth person to serve as chief spokesperson across his two administrations. This high turnover rate underscores the challenges inherent in managing the complex relationship between the executive branch and the press corps, particularly under an administration known for its contentious interactions with journalists.

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Before receiving the offer, Zacharia was working as a communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group, the company that owns Truth Social, the president’s social media platform. Her professional background includes frequent appearances as a guest on conservative media programs, where she has established herself as a recognizable voice within right-leaning political commentary circles. Her LinkedIn profile indicates she joined the media company in June of this year.

Her experience in government communications is relatively recent and brief. Zacharia served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security from February to March earlier this year. This short stint provided her with direct exposure to federal agency messaging, though it was limited in duration compared to the long-term responsibilities of the White House press secretary role.

The departure of her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, created the opening for Zacharia’s consideration. Leavitt left the post after giving birth to her second child. Reports indicate that Leavitt has since taken a position with Fox News, continuing her presence in conservative media coverage from a different platform. Her exit marked the end of a tenure that had already seen significant changes in White House communications strategy.

The role of press secretary extends far beyond delivering daily briefings at the podium. The position requires managing often difficult relationships with the press corps, coordinating messaging across various White House offices, and providing direct media advice to the president. Additionally, the press secretary oversees an office that handles a high volume of daily inquiries and requests from journalists, requiring robust organizational management and strategic communication skills.

It remains unclear whether Zacharia has formally accepted the offer as of Thursday evening. The New York Times was first to report on her selection, but confirmation of her acceptance had not been finalized in public statements at the time of reporting. The White House has not provided a specific timeline for when she might begin duties if she accepts the position.

Zacharia’s background differs from some previous holders of the post, who often came from traditional political or journalistic backgrounds. Her experience is rooted more heavily in conservative media commentary and private sector communications within Trump’s own business ventures. This shift may signal a continued preference for loyalists with established ties to the president’s media ecosystem over career government communicators.

The transition period has left the White House press office operating without a permanent head, likely relying on interim arrangements or senior staff members to manage daily operations. The appointment of Zacharia aims to bring consistency back to the administration's public face and streamline the flow of information between the president and the news media.

As the new fiscal year approaches, the White House faces increased scrutiny over various policy initiatives, making a stable communications strategy essential. The choice of Zacharia reflects the administration’s ongoing effort to align its messaging with its political base while navigating the demands of national and international press coverage. Her ability to manage these competing priorities will be tested immediately upon assuming the role.

Sources behind this briefing

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