Katie Zacharia selected as new White House press secretary

President Donald Trump has moved to fill one of the White House’s most high-profile communications posts, offering the press secretary job to conservative commentator Katie Zacharia, an administration official said.

The official confirmed that Ms Zacharia — a lawyer who serves as a communications adviser to Mr Trump’s media company — has been tapped for the role, though it was not immediately known whether she had accepted the offer.

If she takes the position, she would replace Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down in August after emerging as one of the most recognisable public faces of Mr Trump’s second administration.

Ms Zacharia is currently listed as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind the president’s Truth Social platform, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Karoline Leavitt stepped down from the position in August

Known to viewers as a regular presence on conservative television, including Fox News and Newsmax, Ms Zacharia previously held a short-term role as a spokeswoman for then-Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem.

Her LinkedIn profile indicates she joined the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year and departed after about two months.

Based in California, Ms Zacharia has also worked with Fix California, a conservative advocacy organisation founded by Richard Grenell, a longtime Mr Trump ally and one of his special presidential envoys.

CNBC reported that she serves as the group’s general counsel, as it works to promote conservative political causes in the traditionally Democratic-leaning state.

Ms Zacharia earned her law degree from Pepperdine University and began her career in Republican politics as an intern at the Republican National Committee in 2006, CNN reported.

The New York Times was first to report her selection today, citing two people familiar with the decision.

Katie Zacharia currently serves as a senior communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group

Before extending the offer, Mr Trump sought input from several allies and advisers — including Ms Leavitt — as he weighed who should take on the role, according to CNN.

The press secretary post is among the administration’s most visible jobs, charged with briefing reporters, answering questions on policy and acting as the president’s chief spokesperson in daily battles over messaging.

Ms Leavitt assumed the position when Mr Trump returned to power in January 2025, becoming the youngest White House press secretary in US history at 27.

A committed Mr Trump loyalist who previously served as press secretary for his 2024 presidential campaign, she exited the administration in late August after the birth of her second child.

At the time, Mr Trump said Ms Leavitt wanted to devote more time to her family and would continue as an outside adviser.

Fox News announced this week that Ms Leavitt is set to join the network as an on-air contributor beginning in November.