Trump selects Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary

On October 9, US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt who left in August. Trump praised Zacharia's unblemished record of support, describing her as a loyal and brilliant advocate. In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed confidence in her ability to deliver strong results for the country, emphasizing her respect for the media, American people, and his administration.

The appointment positions Zacharia at the helm of the White House's public messaging operation ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, a crucial period for Trump's agenda and his party's congressional control. Zacharia welcomed the appointment, expressing her eagerness to collaborate with the White House press corps and reporters nationwide to disseminate Trump's message.

Recent polls indicate a significant decline in Trump's approval rating, dropping to 32%, as his fellow Republicans express dissatisfaction with his handling of economic issues and the Iran conflict. The selection of Zacharia highlights the strong connections between Trump's administration and his media empire, as revealed by Trump Media's recent announcement to offer banks and trading firms expedited access to his Truth Social posts, which often impact global markets.

Zacharia has been working as a senior communications adviser for Truth Social and the Trump Media & Technology Group since June. She previously served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security before leaving in March. Zacharia, an attorney who frequently appears on conservative platforms like Fox News and Newsmax, also held a legal advisory position with Fix California, a conservative group founded by Richard Grenell, who served as Trump's envoy to Venezuela and interim president of the Kennedy Center in Washington. Notably, Zacharia interned at the White House during President George W. Bush's administration.