Katie Zacharia, a conservative lawyer, media commentator, and Trump loyalist, moves from his media company to one of the White House’s most visible communications positions.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES
US President Donald Trump has appointed Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator and communications adviser at his media company, as White House press secretary, bringing a longtime supporter of his political movement into one of the administration’s most prominent public-facing roles.
Announcing the appointment on October 9, Trump described Zacharia as a loyal supporter and member of his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. He also said she had assisted his presidential campaigns in key swing states.
Zacharia, 42, will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August and is set to join Fox News as a contributor.
From law and politics to conservative media
A California native, Zacharia studied political science at Pepperdine University before earning her law degree from the university’s Caruso School of Law. She also interned at the White House during former President George W. Bush’s administration in 2006.
Her career has combined legal work, political advocacy and media appearances. She served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative advocacy organization founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell, and later worked in development at Pepperdine University.
Zacharia became a familiar face on conservative television, appearing on Fox News and Newsmax as a commentator defending Trump and his policies. She has also appeared on other news networks, including CNN.
Her most recent assignment
Before her White House appointment, Zacharia served as a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the president’s Truth Social platform.
Her most recent government assignment was at the Department of Homeland Security, where she served as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs earlier in 2026. She left after about six weeks, saying the demands of traveling between California and Washington had strained her family.
Her move from Trump’s media operation to the White House puts her at the center of the administration’s efforts to communicate its policies and respond to journalists’ questions.
Family life and ties to Trump
Zacharia is married to film producer Tyler Zacharia. The couple, who married in 2011, have four children and live in California. Her husband’s credits include The Irishman and Roofman.
Her association with Trump extends beyond her professional roles. She worked on his presidential campaigns, publicly identifies with conservative politics, and has repeatedly defended his agenda.
In a previous opinion article, Zacharia criticized being asked to remove a MAGA hat at her local gym, framing the incident as an issue of freedom of expression.
Following her appointment, she described serving Trump and the American people as “the honor of a lifetime” and said she looked forward to working with White House correspondents and reporters nationwide.
Her new role will require her to manage daily press briefings, respond to scrutiny of administration decisions, and communicate the president’s positions to the public.
