Former adviser to Trump's media group; also served as DHS spokesperson

Mother of four and attorney succeeds Leavitt, who stepped down after second child

Katie Zakaria, a conservative broadcast commentator whom Donald Trump named as the new White House press secretary on Friday (local time). [Getty Images]
Katie Zakaria, a conservative broadcast commentator whom Donald Trump named as the new White House press secretary on Friday (local time). [Getty Images]

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Donald Trump announced Friday (local time) that he has selected conservative broadcast commentator Katie Zakaria as White House press secretary, replacing former spokesperson Caroline Leavitt, who resigned in August.

Trump introduced Zakaria on Truth Social, saying it was "a great honor" to appoint her to the role. "She has been a loyal and outstanding supporter from the outset, and an enthusiastic fan and member of MAGA," he wrote.

He added that Zakaria had participated in his campaign and helped secure victories in key battleground states. "Katie will work beautifully with the media, the American people, and our administration," Trump said.

An attorney and mother of four, Zakaria currently serves as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social, the social media platform Trump founded.

Zakaria served as a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson for several months toward the end of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's tenure this year. She has also been a frequent political commentator on conservative outlets Fox News and Newsmax.

A California native, Zakaria graduated from Pepperdine University and its law school. She entered Washington politics as an intern at the Republican National Committee in 2006, during the George W. Bush administration.

Leavitt took office as White House press secretary in January last year when Trump's second term began, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position at age 27. She stepped down at the end of August, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family after giving birth to her second child in May.

Zakaria expressed gratitude on her X account, formerly Twitter, saying she was "deeply honored" by Trump's decision. "His trust is a true privilege, and his leadership is a blessing to this country," she wrote, adding that she looked forward to working with the White House press corps to communicate the administration's achievements to the American people.


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