Katie Zacharia has pledged to focus on President Donald Trump’s communication agenda rather than her own profile after being appointed the new White House press secretary.
Zacharia, 42, made the remarks during an appearance on Fox & Friends Weekend on Saturday, a day after Trump announced her appointment on his Truth Social platform.
“This job is not about me,” she said. “This job is about him and how he wants to communicate to the American people.”
She praised Trump as “the most energetic, intense president we have ever seen” and described his policies as among the most effective and exciting. Zacharia also expressed enthusiasm about taking on the role, saying she expected the president to continue surprising those around him.
Trump Praises Zacharia’s Loyalty and Communications Experience
Trump announced Zacharia’s appointment on Friday, describing her as an outstanding member of his communications team and highlighting her work as a senior communications adviser for Truth Social.
The president also pointed to her previous involvement in his election campaigns, particularly in key swing states. He described her as a loyal supporter of his political movement, commonly known as MAGA, and said he was confident she would deliver strong results.
In a message posted after the announcement, Zacharia thanked Trump for what she called the distinguished privilege of becoming White House press secretary.
She described serving the president and the American people during the country’s 250th anniversary period as the honour of a lifetime. She also praised Trump’s leadership and expressed support for his administration.
New Appointment Comes After Changes at Homeland Security
Zacharia’s career has included a brief spell at the Department of Homeland Security, where she served as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs.
She replaced Tricia McLaughlin in February as the public-facing spokesperson for the administration’s immigration crackdown, but her time in the department lasted only six weeks.
Her departure attracted controversy after reports suggested she had been pushed out because of her close relationship with Corey Lewandowski, an adviser to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Some reports also alleged a personal relationship between Lewandowski and Noem.
Zacharia denied that account at the time, saying she had stepped away because frequent travel between Washington and her home in California had become difficult for her family.
Her appointment to the White House role brings her back into a prominent communications position within Trump’s administration.
Zacharia Praises Trump’s White House Ballroom Project
During her television appearance, Zacharia also discussed Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, saying the president had shown her where it would be located.
She presented the project as an example of Trump’s ambition to restore American greatness and praised the pace and projected cost of the work.
“He is ahead of schedule, under budget, and it’s gonna be amazing,” she said.
Her comments reflected the strong public support she has expressed for Trump’s agenda since the appointment was announced.
New Press Secretary Replaces Karoline Leavitt
Zacharia succeeds Karoline Leavitt, who announced her departure on 12 August and left the position on 27 August. Leavitt said she wanted to spend more time with her family.
The transition places Zacharia in a central role as the administration communicates its policies, responds to media questions and defends the president’s decisions.
Her appointment also comes ahead of the November midterm elections, a politically significant period in which the White House is expected to face heightened scrutiny over its policies and performance.
Lawyer Built Career in Conservative Politics
Zacharia is a lawyer, political communications figure and frequent guest on Fox News and Newsmax. She is known for her outspoken conservative views and strong support for Trump.
Her involvement in politics began while she was a college intern for the Republican National Committee. She studied at Pepperdine University’s Seaver College before completing her legal education at the university’s Caruso School of Law.
She later pursued a career spanning corporate and political advocacy, including work in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the George W. Bush administration. She also spent three years in China working as outside counsel for the World Bank.
Her experience across political campaigns, government communications and conservative media has helped establish her profile within Republican circles.
Zacharia Says Political Backlash Has Affected Her Family
Zacharia is married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, whose credits include films such as The Irishman, Countdown, The Starling, The Desperate Hour and Homestead. The couple have four children.
Although she frequently shares aspects of her lifestyle on Instagram, where she has built a following of more than 42,000 people, she has kept her children out of the public spotlight.
She has also spoken openly about the criticism she receives for supporting Trump.
In an Instagram post in September, Zacharia said involvement in politics, whether directly or indirectly, could be brutal and that she personally faced criticism on a daily basis. She added that she tried to protect her family from the pressure while expressing pride in her husband’s work.
White House Role Places Zacharia at Centre of Trump’s Message
As press secretary, Zacharia will be responsible for communicating the president’s positions to journalists and the wider American public. Her appointment signals the return of a familiar Trump supporter to a high-profile government communications role.
Her early remarks have emphasised personal loyalty to the president and a commitment to presenting his policies in the way he wants them communicated.
With the midterm elections approaching, her performance in the role will unfold during a period of intense political debate and close attention to the administration’s public messaging.
