Story perspectives

Trump Appoints Katie Zacharia White House Press Secretary

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 3:45 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump appointed Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary.
Zacharia will begin on Monday, Columbus Day, and hold a news conference Tuesday at 9:30 A.M.
She replaces Karoline Leavitt, who left the White House in late August after her second child's birth.
Trump said his administration’s achievements are being obscured by poor public-relations ahead of the midterm elections.

History

Historical Context

In 1969 President Nixon appointed 29-year-old Ron Ziegler press secretary, the youngest ever and the first to use the new White House briefing room, positioning him to defend the administration during Watergate and appear before Congress 33 times. President Trump’s 2024 appointment of Katie Zacharia revives that strategy of tight media control.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump appointed Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary.
Zacharia will begin on Monday, Columbus Day, and hold a news conference Tuesday at 9:30 A.M.
She replaces Karoline Leavitt, who left the White House in late August after her second child's birth.
Trump said his administration’s achievements are being obscured by poor public-relations ahead of the midterm elections.

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