Katie Zakaria tapped as new White House press secretary

Donald Trump has selected Katie Zakaria as the new White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down from the role in August 2026. The 41-year-old Zakaria is a lawyer, conservative political commentator, and a staunch member of the MAGA movement who has served as a communications consultant for Trump Media and Technology Group. She previously held a brief tenure at the Department of Homeland Security.

While the New York Times reports her selection, details remain fluid regarding the formal acceptance of the offer. President Trump publicly praised Zakaria on Truth Social, describing her as a loyal and wonderful ally. Karoline Leavitt, the predecessor, departed her position in August to focus on her family following the birth of her second child. The White House has not yet provided official comments regarding the confirmation of the appointment, leaving the status of her potential transition unclear to the public.