Trump offers Katie Zacharia White House press secretary post

Zacharia, a frequent Fox News and Newsmax guest, previously served at DHS and now advises Trump Media.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 09 Oct 2026 21:04:28 GMT

President Donald Trump has offered the White House press secretary position to conservative commentator Katie Zacharia, according to a White House official and multiple news outlets.

What happened

Zacharia was named as the successor to Karoline Leavitt, who left the role in late August. The offer was communicated on Friday, October 9, 2026. The White House has not confirmed whether she has accepted the job.

What the reports add

Variety reported that Zacharia currently serves as a senior communications adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group, the operator of the Truth Social platform, and that she previously spent two months as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem. CBS News noted that Zacharia’s LinkedIn profile lists her DHS role and her work for Truth Social, and added that she frequently appears on Fox News and Newsmax. Both outlets identified her as a California native who earned undergraduate and law degrees from Pepperdine University.

What was said

Variety quoted the announcement that Zacharia will take over from Leavitt, who is joining Fox News as a contributor. CBS News cited a White House official who confirmed the offer but said the administration had not yet learned if Zacharia will accept.

How it came about

The appointment follows a series of confrontations between the Trump administration and major news outlets. In September, Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, a move later halted by Judge Timothy Kelly (judge restores White House access). The administration also excluded CNN from Air Force One on a Tennessee trip (CNN excluded from Air Force One). The selection of Zacharia, a vocal media critic, reflects the president’s ongoing strategy of staffing the communications team with allies who share his combative stance toward mainstream media.

Key facts

President Donald Trump offered Katie Zacharia the White House press secretary position (variety.com)
Zacharia previously served as a DHS spokesperson for two months under Secretary Kristi Noem (variety.com)
She is a senior communications adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group (cbsnews.com)
The previous press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, left in late August to join Fox News as a contributor (variety.com)