Who will Trump pick as the next Press Secretary?

What happened

Katie Zacharia officially assumed the role of White House Press Secretary on Monday, October 12, 2026 26. President Donald Trump announced the start of her tenure in a Truth Social post on Sunday, October 11, stating she would begin her term on Columbus Day 45. Zacharia, a 41-year-old attorney and former senior communications advisor for Trump Media & Technology Group, replaces Karoline Leavitt 12. Leavitt vacated the position on August 27 to prioritize her family and has since been named an on-air contributor for Fox News 256.

Zacharia previously served as a spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security before leaving that department in March 2026 6. She is a graduate of the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and has appeared as a commentator on Newsmax and Fox News 26. Trump cited her work on his previous campaigns in seven swing states as a factor in her selection, describing her as a "loyal and brilliant supporter" 13.

Why it matters

The formal commencement of Zacharia's term on October 12 settles the outcome for Katie Zacharia at 100% on Polymarket. Her appointment fills a vacancy that had existed since late August, occurring three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections 13.

Trump stated the administration required improved public relations to communicate its achievements, noting at an October 1 rally that while the country was being run well, the administration was "not doing a good job of public relations" 13. Zacharia is the seventh consecutive woman to hold the position of White House Press Secretary 13. Her entry into the role follows a period of declining approval ratings for the president linked to rising gas prices and an unpopular war 13.

What's next

Zacharia is scheduled to hold her first formal press conference on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 14. The briefing is set for 9:30 a.m. in the White House briefing room 25. This introductory session will be her first opportunity to address media inquiries regarding administration policies in her official capacity 13.

Karoline Leavitt, the outgoing secretary, is scheduled to begin her new role as a contributor for Fox News Channel on November 1, 2026 6. The official documentation of Zacharia's appointment would be finalized by its entry into the Federal Register or the Congressional Record.

What happened

President Donald Trump appointed Katie Zacharia as White House Press Secretary on October 9, 2026 36. Zacharia, a 41-year-old lawyer and conservative commentator, currently serves as a senior communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social 310. Trump announced the selection on Truth Social, describing Zacharia as a "loyal and brilliant supporter" with an "unblemished record of support" 38.

The appointment follows the August 27 departure of Karoline Leavitt, who vacated the role to spend time with her children 68. Zacharia previously served a two-month tenure as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier in 2026 under then-Secretary Kristi Noem 18. She has also acted as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative advocacy group founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell 37.

Trump confirmed the choice during a South Lawn press gaggle on October 9, stating Zacharia would be "terrific" and noting her familiarity with the press corps 37. Zacharia accepted the role in a social media post, calling it the "honor of a lifetime" 39.

Why it matters

The selection of Zacharia settles the outcome for the next White House Press Secretary. On Polymarket, the market "Who will Trump pick as the next Press Secretary?" prices the outcome for Katie Zacharia at 100%. Other potential candidates, including Margo Martin, Anna Kelly, Kush Desai, Taylor Rogers, and Pat Adams, are priced at 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, and 0%.

The search for Leavitt’s successor involved vetting several high-profile candidates, some of whom were disqualified after senior officials discovered past criticisms they had made regarding the president 7. Trump reportedly consulted with Leavitt and other close allies before finalizing the offer to Zacharia, whose candidacy emerged quickly after she was not under consideration as recently as the first week of October 78.

Zacharia’s background as a commentator for Fox News, Newsmax, and CNN, alongside her legal training at Pepperdine University, is intended to assist the administration in communicating "major wins" to the public 39. Her predecessor, Leavitt, is scheduled to join Fox News as an on-air contributor starting November 1 68.

What's next

A formal start date for Zacharia has not been announced by the White House 3. The transition will be finalized when the appointment is officially recorded in the Federal Register or published via a formal statement on whitehouse.gov.

The White House press office is expected to resume regular briefings once Zacharia assumes the podium. Her primary responsibility will involve fielding questions from the press corps and defending administration policies, including recent developments such as the October 9 announcement of a diesel supply deal with Russia 28. The Polymarket market tracking this appointment is scheduled to close on January 1, 2027.