Trump names Leavitt successor after weeks of speculation - and she's no stranger to MAGA

President Donald Trump tapped a trusted ally from the company behind his Truth Social platform to become his next White House press secretary Friday, naming attorney and television commentator Katie Zacharia to succeed Karoline Leavitt.

Two White House officials confirmed the selection to Fox News Digital before Trump publicly announced the appointment on X.

Zacharia, an attorney and frequent television commentator, currently serves as senior communications adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the president's social media platform, Truth Social. She will succeed former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

"It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia. Katie currently serves as Senior Communications Advisor to Truth Social (Trump Media & Technology Group), where she has been outstanding!" Trump wrote Friday afternoon.

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Zacharia celebrated the appointment in a post on X, thanking Trump for what she called the "distinguished privilege" of serving as White House press secretary.

"Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime," Zacharia wrote. "President Trump has shown America that we can be great again, and he works to effectuate that greatness every single day. His confidence is a true privilege, and his leadership is a blessing to this country."

Zacharia said her focus would be on communicating the administration's accomplishments to the American public while working with reporters across the country.

"The work ahead is to continue delivering strong results for our Country and communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day," she wrote. "I look forward to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out."

She also acknowledged the expectations that come with succeeding Leavitt.

"Following the fabulous Karoline Leavitt is a high standard, and one worth meeting," Zacharia wrote.

Zacharia previously served briefly as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security following the departure of Tricia McLaughlin, who had served as press secretary under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

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"Katie is a distinguished Graduate of Pepperdine University, and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, an attorney, and a frequent Commentator on outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax. She was previously involved in my Campaigns, assisting in key Swing States, where we won 7 out of 7. She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning," said Trump.

"She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA! I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration. Katie is replacing the fabulous Karoline Leavitt, who did a fantastic job as Press Secretary. Good luck Katie," he added. 

A 41-year-old mother of four, Zacharia has been married to her husband Tyler since 2011. He is a producer known for projects like the 2019 film "The Irishman" and 2025 movie, "Roofman." Zacharia notes on her Instagram that her husband has also worked with Angel Studios on "David," "Brink of War" and "Young Washington."

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Since Leavitt's departure, there have been only two formal White House press briefings - one with Vice President JD Vance and one with Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The White House adopted a rotating lineup of top Trump administration officials to lead press briefings while former press secretary Karoline Leavitt was on maternity leave over the summer. 

"Katie has been an effective champion of MAGA movement and America First policies - and most importantly clearly has [the] trust of President Trump," former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer told Fox News Digital. 

"Anyone who has not met her yet will quickly see that she is a genuinely kind person who will work well with the press corps, unlike the first press secretary who came across as an angry leprechaun at times," Spicer added. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off the rotation, followed by Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. Rather than relying on a single deputy press secretary, the administration tapped high-profile officials to field questions from reporters on the president's agenda. 

Names previously floated as potential replacements for Leavitt included former Trump attorney and current Justice Department adviser Alina Habba, CNN political commentator Scott Jennings, principal deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, former Pence communications director Katie Miller, White House communications director Steven Cheung and Breitbart Washington bureau chief Matthew Boyle.