Trump names Trump Media adviser Katie Zacharia White House press secretary
Source published: Oct 10, 2026 · 1:04 AM EDT · Event: 2026-10-09
President Donald Trump announced that Katie Zacharia will serve as White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt. Reuters and the Associated Press identify Zacharia as a senior communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group and Truth Social, Trump's social-media platform. Reuters reports that she has held that role since June and briefly served as a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson earlier in 2026. Trump described Zacharia as a loyal supporter and said she would work well with the media, the public and his administration. Those descriptions are Trump's stated rationale and assessment, not independent findings.
Response / context
Zacharia thanked Trump publicly, called the appointment an honor and said she expects to work with the White House press corps and reporters across the country to communicate the administration's record. AP reported that Leavitt announced her departure August 12 and left August 27; a White House release dated August 27 also records her final day in the role. Neither Reuters nor AP reported an exact start date for Zacharia. Her employment by Trump Media and Truth Social is documented as relevant background on the new press secretary's prior role; the reviewed sources did not report an ethics finding, recusal requirement or conclusion that the appointment itself violated a law or rule.
Dates and scope
Source publication: Oct 10, 2026 · 1:04 AM EDT
Event or conduct: 2026-10-09. Trump announced Zacharia's appointment October 9 on Truth Social. Reuters published at 6:09 p.m. UTC and later added Zacharia's response; AP separately confirmed the selection and predecessor timeline.
Dated report. Publication, event and review times are different; the review time is when the sources were last checked, not a live update.
This brief preserves the available response and disposition. Coverage is non-exhaustive. How we review sources.
Read the original sources
- Reuters: Trump selects Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary ↗
Authoritative October 9 report on Trump's announcement, Zacharia's Trump Media and DHS background, her response and the political context
- Associated Press: Trump names commentator Katie Zacharia of his media company as next White House press secretary ↗
Authoritative October 9 confirmation of the selection, Zacharia's response and Leavitt's departure timeline
- The White House: NEVER SURRENDER: Karoline Leavitt's Historic Tenure as White House Press Secretary ↗
Primary August 27 record confirming Leavitt's final day as the 36th White House press secretary; used only for predecessor and vacancy context
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